The Inter-Party Advisory Council has warned that political parties across Nigeria may boycott the 2027 general elections if controversial provisions in the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 are not urgently amended.
The council said the law, recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, contains sections that could weaken internal party democracy and undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking after an emergency meeting at the council’s national secretariat in Abuja, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle said the council would mobilise political parties nationwide to resist the law if lawmakers fail to correct the controversial provisions.
According to him, although the new law aims to address gaps in the Electoral Act 2022, several sections introduce fresh challenges that could weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Dantalle said IPAC remains committed to its core objective of strengthening democratic participation and protecting the rights of political parties.
One of the major issues raised by IPAC is Section 84(2) of the new law, which excludes the use of indirect primaries by political parties.
The council argues that this provision interferes with the constitutional right of political parties to determine how they choose their candidates.
According to Dantalle, courts have repeatedly affirmed that parties have the authority to manage their internal affairs, including deciding whether to use direct or indirect primaries during candidate selection.
IPAC therefore insists that removing indirect primaries restricts the autonomy of political parties.
The council also criticised the removal of mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
IPAC said the absence of a clear provision requiring real-time transmission from polling units could trigger disputes similar to those that followed the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.
The council urged lawmakers to restore mandatory electronic transmission to improve transparency and boost public confidence in future elections.
NIN Requirement May Disenfranchise Nigerians
Another contentious provision involves the requirement for party members to upload their National Identification Number (NIN) during registration.
IPAC warned that millions of Nigerians still lack access to the national identity system managed by the National Identity Management Commission.
The council said enforcing this requirement could exclude many citizens from participating in political activities, which it believes violates democratic rights.
Call for Further Amendments
IPAC also called for the removal of Sections 77(4–7) of the Act and demanded tougher penalties for vote buying.
In addition, the council urged lawmakers to restore forged certificates as valid grounds for election petitions, arguing that the removal of the provision weakens electoral accountability.
IPAC Threatens Boycott of 2027 Elections
The council warned that it would escalate the matter to the international community if its concerns remain unresolved.
IPAC said it may notify organisations such as the United Nations, European Union, and Economic Community of West African States about the controversial provisions.
Dantalle added that if the National Assembly of Nigeria fails to amend the law, political parties under IPAC could boycott the 2027 general elections, describing any resulting outcome as illegitimate.
Renewed Debate Over Nigeria’s Electoral Reforms
The controversy comes weeks after President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 amendment into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The development also follows the release of the election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and activists continue to push for reforms, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of results, which many believe is essential to strengthening transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system.
