The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the updated 2026–2027 general election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming it is structured to give President Bola Tinubu an edge ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the revised schedule as more than a routine administrative adjustment. According to the ADC, the new deadlines and compliance conditions under the Electoral Act 2026 create what it called “near-impossible hurdles” for opposition parties hoping to present candidates.
INEC had earlier fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.
However, objections were raised by some Muslim stakeholders who pointed out that the dates would fall within the Ramadan period in 2027. Following those concerns, the National Assembly amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the required election notice period from 360 days to 300 days.
INEC subsequently issued a revised timetable on Thursday, signed by its Chairman, Joash Amupitan. The new schedule shifts the Presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Assembly polls are now slated for February 6, 2027.
Central to the ADC’s objection is the requirement that political parties submit a comprehensive digital membership register to INEC by April 2, 2026. The party argued that the deadline barely weeks away effectively shuts out opposition parties that may not have the infrastructure to meet the new standards in time.
Citing Sections 77(4) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, the ADC noted that failure to submit the register within the stipulated timeframe would render a party ineligible to field candidates. It also highlighted additional provisions mandating detailed member information, including names, gender, dates of birth, addresses, states, local governments, wards, polling units, National Identification Numbers and photographs, in both hard and soft copies.
According to the party, the law also bars the use of any pre-existing membership register that does not meet these specifications.
The ADC further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) began updating its membership records as far back as February 2025, giving it a significant head start before the new requirements became compulsory.
“It is not foresight but insider advantage,” the party stated, arguing that other parties are now being asked to complete in about a month what the APC had a year to prepare for.
The ADC said it has joined other opposition parties in rejecting both the Electoral Act 2026 and the revised timetable, describing them as instruments that appear designed to support what it termed a “self-succession agenda.”
The party added that it is reviewing its options and would soon announce its next steps. It also urged civil society organisations, democratic institutions and Nigerians to closely examine the timetable and insist on fairness.
According to the ADC, democracy cannot thrive where electoral rules are perceived to tilt the playing field in favour of the incumbent.
Advertisement
