The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concerns over delays by the national assembly in passing the 2025 electoral bill for presidential assent.
A statement on Saturday by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said failure to promptly pass the bill raises suspicions that the legislature, which it said is dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), is deliberately delaying amendments aimed at strengthening the credibility of elections.
The party said a lack of clarity in the electoral framework could create “potential booby traps” for opposition parties and make it difficult for INEC to issue clear guidelines within the required timeframe.
The ADC cited the provision requiring INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election, noting that the time for adequate preparation is already limited.
“Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or dubious election,” the party said, while urging civil society organisations, international partners, and political parties committed to democratic governance to pressure the national assembly to act swiftly.
In a new year message in January, Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate leader, said the upper chamber would fast-track the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
