The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the revised 2027 general election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a calculated move that benefits the ruling party at the expense of the opposition.
In an interview on Arise News on Monday, the ADC’s Assistant National Chairman, Usani Usani, argued that the adjusted schedule was deliberately structured to disadvantage rival political parties while strengthening the position of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Usani, the issue extends beyond dates and deadlines. He maintained that the process of revising the timetable lacked transparency and failed to reflect broad consultation.
Integrity Of Policy-Making
He accused those in authority of preparing behind closed doors while presenting the changes to the public as routine administrative adjustments.
“Our concern is about the integrity of policy-making,” he said. “In any system that respects democratic values, policies should emerge from open procedures that accommodate public input.
What we are seeing is a compressed schedule that sidelines key stakeholders and undermines fairness.”
Usani further alleged a coordinated effort among the APC, the National Assembly, INEC, and the executive arm of government to protect the interests of the incumbent administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He described the relationship between the institutions as overly aligned, arguing that it weakens public confidence in the electoral process.
He also drew attention to what he termed inconsistencies in electoral standards.
The Leadership Of INEC
While internal party primaries require consensus and strict procedural compliance, he said, similar rigour is not applied at the national level where, in his view, irregularities do not automatically invalidate outcomes.
On the leadership of INEC, Usani expressed cautious optimism but urged firmness.
He referenced the widely acclaimed 1993 presidential election overseen by Humphrey Nwosu as a benchmark for credibility, noting that history would judge the current commission by its ability to withstand political pressure.
Addressing the issue of electronic transmission of results, Usani criticised what he described as ambiguity in INEC’s position.
He argued that describing electronic transmission as something that “can” be done falls short of guaranteeing transparency.
In a country where digital financial transactions are commonplace, he questioned why similar reliability cannot be assured in the electoral process.
Warning From ADC
The ADC chieftain also warned of growing voter apathy, cautioning that widespread disillusionment with the political system could have serious consequences.
He urged citizens to remain engaged, participate actively in elections, and safeguard their votes as a means of strengthening democratic governance.
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Usani concluded by stressing that accountability is a shared responsibility between political leaders and the electorate, emphasising that sustained civic participation remains essential to preserving Nigeria’s democracy.