ADC Rejects Proposal to Hold Elections in November 2026

The African Democratic Congress has opposed the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act seeking to shift Nigeria’s general elections to November 2026.

The party warned that the idea would disrupt governance and trap the nation in an endless campaign cycle.

In a statement by its interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the move would harm governance and development, as politicians would be more focused on campaigning than delivering on their mandates.

The National Assembly is considering an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 that would allow general elections to hold six months before the expiration of the tenure of current officeholders. Lawmakers argue that the change would create enough time to settle election petitions before new administrations are sworn in.

The ADC, however, described the proposal as counterproductive, insisting it would cause more harm than good. The party warned that by cutting six months from the political calendar, the plan would push Nigeria into a state of constant electioneering where politics would overshadow development.

According to the party, if elections take place in November 2026, campaigns would begin as early as 2025, leaving only two productive years for governance. It noted that such a timeline would shift the focus of leaders from performance to politics, stalling ongoing projects and policies.

The party accused the current administration of already prioritizing politics over governance, saying that moving elections earlier would worsen the problem and reduce democracy to constant politicking.

The ADC argued that if the goal is to ensure that election disputes are resolved before inauguration, the right approach should be institutional reform rather than altering the election timetable. It urged lawmakers to strengthen the judiciary, improve INEC’s capacity, and enhance the efficiency of electoral adjudication.

Citing examples from Kenya, Indonesia, and Ghana, the ADC said other democracies resolve election disputes within weeks through strong judicial systems without changing election dates. It maintained that Nigeria should focus on building similar structures instead of extending campaign periods.

The party concluded that Nigerians deserve more than prolonged politics, stressing that democracy must deliver good governance, not years of campaigning followed by short bursts of performance.