ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing attack on the 10th Senate, accusing the APC-led legislature of “legislative tampering” and laying the groundwork for a “renewed rigging plan” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party condemned the Senate’s recent rejection of critical amendments to the Electoral Act. The party alleged that the ruling party is “mortally afraid” of a free and fair contest due to the “unprecedented suffering” visited upon Nigerians through its economic policies.
Key Reforms Voted Down
The ADC highlighted several rejected provisions which it claims were designed to restore voter confidence and ensure transparency:
- Electronic Transmission of Results: The party specifically faulted the Senate’s refusal to mandate the electronic transmission of election results, a move it says signals an intent to manipulate future polls.
- Voter Card Downloads: The Senate rejected reforms that would have allowed Nigerians to download their voter cards directly from the INEC website.
- Shortened Timelines: The ADC condemned the decision to shorten the timeline for the publication of candidate lists from 150 days to 60 days, and the reduction of the election notice period, describing these as “logistical nightmares” for INEC.
‘Betrayal of Democracy’
“The net sum of this disgraceful action is that the APC has exploited its majority status in the National Assembly to tamper with the law and expand opportunities for rigging,” the statement read.
The ADC further argued that the rejection of these safeguards proves the APC lacks the confidence to subject itself to a transparent process. “No one expected them to go this far in mutilating our nation’s electoral laws,” Abdullahi added, calling the move a “betrayal” of the Nigerian people’s aspirations.
A Call for Action
The party called on the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act—the body responsible for harmonizing the versions of the bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly—to overturn the Senate’s decision. The ADC urged the committee to pass amendments that align with democratic principles and reflect the true will of the electorate.
The 2027 Context
This legislative friction arrives at a time of heightened political tension. While the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to see the 2027 vote as a “patriotic assignment,” opposition parties are increasingly wary of the legal framework governing the polls.
The ADC’s outcry follows other recent controversies, including the unilateral ₦7.6 trillion NNPCL debt write-off and the arraignment of former AGF Abubakar Malami, both of which have fueled accusations of “executive and legislative impunity.”
As of Thursday morning, the Senate leadership has not issued a formal rebuttal to the ADC’s allegations of a “renewed rigging plan.”
