ADC Warns Early Elections May Hamper Nigeria’s Development

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sounded a note of caution to the National Assembly over plans to amend the Electoral Act and move the 2027 general elections to November 2026. The party warned that such a shift could disrupt governance and stall Nigeria’s development agenda.

In a statement on Tuesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said advancing the elections would shorten the effective governance period, push the country into prolonged campaign mode, and compromise long-term development initiatives.

The National Assembly had on Monday initiated discussions to bring forward the 2027 presidential and governorship elections by six months. While some critics view the move as a potential attempt to extend President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, others argue it could improve the electoral process if properly managed.

Abdullahi said, “Bringing elections forward to November 2026 risks turning Nigeria into a state of continuous politicking, leaving little room for actual governance. Ministers, governors, and other public officials will likely prioritize campaigns over service delivery, resulting in stalled policies and abandoned projects.”

The ADC urged lawmakers to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring electoral stability rather than pursuing politically motivated amendments. Abdullahi emphasized that resolving election disputes should not come at the expense of governance, noting, “The solution lies in improving institutional efficiency, enforcing strict tribunal timelines, and enhancing the capacity of INEC and the judiciary, rather than cutting short tenures.”

He cited international examples where electoral disputes are resolved promptly without altering election schedules. In Kenya, the Supreme Court must conclude presidential election petitions within 14 days; Ghana’s Supreme Court is required to finalize such petitions within 42 days, while Indonesia follows a 14-working-day timeline.

“Other democracies demonstrate that fixed election calendars can coexist with timely dispute resolution,” Abdullahi added. “Nigerians expect good governance, not a system that allows two years of campaigning and little governance.”

The ADC’s position underscores the need for comprehensive electoral reforms that ensure credible polls and swift adjudication of disputes, rather than merely changing the electoral timetable.