The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has rejected the new election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that it is structured to sideline opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the revised schedule as more than an administrative framework, calling it “a political instrument carefully structured to narrow democratic space.”
The party argued that fresh provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 impose stringent requirements on political parties.
According to the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, party primaries are scheduled to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026. However, political parties are required to submit a detailed digital membership register by April 2, 2026.
Citing Section 77 of the Electoral Act, the ADC noted that any party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated time “shall not be eligible to field a candidate for that election.”
The party described the provision as a deliberate barrier rather than a routine regulatory measure.
“These are not housekeeping rules. They are deliberately constructed barriers to exclude opposition from partaking in the coming election,” the statement read.
Under the new requirements, parties must provide a digital register containing members’ names, sex, date of birth, address, state, local government, ward, polling unit, National Identification Number, and photographs. The law further prohibits the use of outdated membership lists that do not meet the new standards, with non-compliance attracting disqualification.
The ADC alleged that the ruling party had begun compiling a compliant membership register as early as February 2025, well before it became a statutory requirement, thereby gaining what it described as an unfair advantage.
“This is not a product of foresight but insider knowledge. They knew what was coming,” the party stated.
It added that while the ruling party allegedly had nearly a year to prepare, other political parties are now expected to complete the same process within about one month, which it termed “a practical impossibility.”
The ADC further claimed that the cumulative effect of the timetable and the Electoral Act is to pave the way for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 without meaningful opposition.
“A system where one party takes advantage of incumbency to give itself a one-year head start is a rigged and corrupt system,” the statement added.
The party said it has joined other opposition groups in rejecting both the Electoral Act 2026 and the new timetable, stressing that it would not take steps that could legitimise what it described as a flawed process.
“ADC will not do anything that will appear to confer legitimacy on a fraudulent system,” the statement concluded, adding that it is currently reviewing its options.
The party also called on civil society organisations and Nigerians across political divides to scrutinise the timetable and demand fairness, warning that democracy cannot endure if electoral rules are perceived to favour one side.
