The African Democratic Congress has rejected the revised 2026–2027 general election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing it as a politically biased plan designed to favour the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the new deadlines and compliance requirements under the Electoral Act 2026 create severe obstacles for opposition parties seeking to field candidates. The statement, in which the ADC slams new poll schedule, warned that the revised timeline narrows democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC had initially scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections for March 6, 2027. However, objections from Muslim stakeholders, who noted that the dates would fall within the Ramadan period, prompted a review.
Following the concerns, the National Assembly amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the election notice period from 360 to 300 days and allowing INEC to adjust the dates. The electoral body subsequently released a revised timetable, moving the presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly polls to February 6, 2027.
Reacting to the changes, the ADC argued that the requirement for political parties to submit a comprehensive digital membership register by April 2, 2026 effectively shuts out opposition parties. According to the party, this condition makes meaningful participation nearly impossible within the available timeframe, reinforcing its position as the ADC slams new poll schedule.
The party noted that Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 mandates the submission of digital membership registers, while Section 77(7) disqualifies any party that fails to comply from fielding candidates. It added that the register must include detailed personal information such as names, addresses, National Identification Numbers, polling units and photographs in both hard and soft copies.
The ADC questioned the fairness of the requirement, pointing out that the ruling party began updating its membership register long before the rule became mandatory, giving it what the opposition described as a significant head start.
“This is not a product of foresight but insider advantage,” the statement said, arguing that other parties are expected to complete a complex nationwide data exercise within about one month.
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The party further alleged that the timetable and the new legal provisions together form a framework designed to produce predetermined outcomes. It maintained that democratic competition requires a level playing field, which it said the current arrangements do not provide.
Reiterating its opposition, the party said the ADC slams new poll schedule because it appears to serve what it described as a self-succession agenda rather than the broader interests of democracy. It added that it is consulting with other opposition parties and reviewing its options.
The ADC also called on civil society organisations, democratic stakeholders and Nigerians to scrutinise the timetable and demand fairness, warning that democracy cannot thrive when electoral rules are perceived to favour one side.