The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the National Assembly against proposed amendments that could advance the 2027 general elections to November 2026, warning that such a move could undermine governance in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that moving the election date would push the country into a perpetual campaign cycle, shorten effective governance, disrupt development planning, and weaken institutional focus.
The ADC called on lawmakers to abandon the proposal and instead pursue meaningful electoral and judicial reforms that ensure credible elections and the timely resolution of disputes without compromising governance stability.
The party acknowledged that the proposed shift is intended to allow more time for election petitions to be resolved before the inauguration of a new administration but stressed that it could create deeper problems for Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement read, “By cutting the current political calendar by six months, the proposal threatens to push Nigeria into a state of permanent electioneering, where politics dominates governance and development is perpetually on hold.
“Elections in November 2026 would mean campaigns begin as early as 2025, leaving barely two years of real governance before political positioning overtakes performance. Policies will stall, projects abandoned, and the system will focus on 2026 rather than 2027.
“Even under the current APC government, we can see the effects of an administration preoccupied with power rather than public welfare. Moving the elections backward will only accelerate this trend, reducing democracy to mere electioneering.
“If the goal is to ensure election petitions conclude before inaugurations, the solution lies in strengthening institutions, enforcing strict tribunal timelines, reforming electoral laws, and improving the capacities of INEC and the judiciary.
“Other democracies maintain fixed election timelines while resolving disputes efficiently. In Kenya, presidential petitions must be resolved within 14 days; Indonesia’s Constitutional Court decides in 14 working days; Ghana’s Supreme Court concludes within 42 days. Expedited judicial processes, not changes to the election calendar, are the answer.
“Changing election dates without addressing underlying electoral weaknesses will not solve the problem. Nigerians are citizens who expect governance, not prolonged campaigns.
“ADC therefore calls on the National Assembly to shelve this amendment and focus on comprehensive electoral reform that guarantees credible elections and rapid dispute resolution, ensuring public service remains central to democracy.”
The ADC emphasised that governance should not be sacrificed to extended political campaigning, urging lawmakers to prioritise institutional efficiency and citizens’ welfare over political expediency.
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