2027 GENERAL ELECTION TIMETABLE: DELAY IN ELECTORAL ACT AMENDMENT SUGGESTS CALCULATED ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE ELECTORAL REFORMS — CNPP

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has carefully reviewed the recently released timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and wishes to express deep concern over the unfolding political and legislative developments surrounding preparations for the forthcoming elections.
While the CNPP acknowledges the constitutional responsibility of INEC to release an election timetable within stipulated legal timelines, we are compelled to raise serious alarm that the current circumstances under which the timetable has been released expose what appears to be a calculated political strategy aimed at frustrating the long-standing and widely supported demand by Nigerians for comprehensive electoral reforms before the 2027 general elections.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the persistent delay by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in concluding legislative processes on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 was not accidental. Rather, emerging developments strongly suggest that the delay was orchestrated to create a procedural and political environment that would make it easier for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lawfully withhold assent to any eventual amendment bill on the grounds that the electoral process has already commenced following the release of the INEC timetable.
The CNPP views this development as deeply troubling and potentially injurious to Nigeria’s democratic progress. Nigerians across party lines, civil society groups, electoral stakeholders, and democracy advocates have consistently demanded critical amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 to strengthen transparency, enhance accountability mechanisms, eliminate electoral loopholes, and guarantee credible election outcomes that reflect the genuine will of the electorate.
Unfortunately, the actions and inactions of the APC-dominated 10th National Assembly of Nigeria have raised legitimate suspicions that the popular demand for electoral reforms is being deliberately suppressed. The CNPP is particularly concerned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), through its overwhelming legislative control, appears to be prioritizing partisan political calculations over national democratic consolidation.
The CNPP notes that electoral reforms are not a favour to opposition parties or political interest groups but a fundamental democratic necessity required to sustain public confidence in governance and electoral legitimacy. Electoral laws must continually evolve to address emerging challenges, technological advancements, judicial interpretations, and operational gaps identified during previous election cycles.
Nigeria’s recent electoral experiences have exposed significant areas requiring urgent legislative strengthening, including but not limited to legal clarity on electronic transmission of results, enforcement mechanisms against electoral malpractices, enhanced internal party democracy, and improved safeguards against manipulation of electoral processes. The failure to urgently address these issues before the commencement of the 2027 electoral cycle risks repeating past mistakes that have undermined public trust in the electoral system.
The CNPP therefore warns that proceeding into the 2027 general elections without implementing robust legal reforms that guarantee electoral credibility will have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability. One of the most immediate dangers is the growing risk of voter apathy, which has already manifested in declining voter turnout across successive election cycles. When citizens lose confidence in the integrity of electoral processes, democratic participation suffers significantly.
Furthermore, the erosion of public faith in the electoral system inevitably translates into declining trust in governance institutions and elected leadership. Such developments create fertile ground for political instability, social discontent, and legitimacy crises that could have been avoided through proactive legislative action.
The CNPP also stresses that credible elections remain the bedrock upon which democratic governance, national unity, and political stability are built. Any attempt, deliberate or otherwise, to weaken electoral credibility undermines Nigeria’s democratic credentials both locally and internationally.
While the CNPP acknowledges the constitutional powers of the President regarding assent to legislation, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above partisan political considerations and choose the path of democratic statesmanship. As a beneficiary of Nigeria’s democratic system and a long-standing advocate of democratic governance, the President must recognise that history will judge his administration not merely by political victories but by the strength and credibility of democratic institutions under his watch.
The CNPP therefore calls on President Tinubu to resist any opportunity created by legislative delays that could justify withholding assent to necessary electoral reforms. Instead, we urge him to demonstrate leadership by supporting amendments that enhance electoral transparency, fairness, and public confidence. Such a decision would not only strengthen Nigeria’s democracy but also solidify his legacy as a leader committed to institutional strengthening and democratic accountability.
The CNPP equally calls on the National Assembly to immediately expedite action on all outstanding electoral reform bills and ensure that necessary amendments to the Electoral Act are concluded and transmitted for presidential assent without further delay. Nigeria cannot afford to enter another general election cycle under a legal framework widely considered inadequate by electoral stakeholders.
The CNPP reiterates its unwavering commitment to advocating for electoral reforms that promote credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. We shall continue to mobilize political parties, civil society organizations, and democratic stakeholders to demand electoral integrity and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral governance framework.
Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The 2027 general elections present another critical opportunity to deepen democratic consolidation, and that opportunity must not be squandered through avoidable legislative and executive complacency.