The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed serious concerns over certain provisions in the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, warning that political parties under its umbrella may boycott the 2027 general elections if the National Assembly fails to urgently amend the contentious sections.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the IPAC General Assembly meeting held on Thursday, at the council’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
In the communiqué signed by IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf M. Dantalle, and National Secretary, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, the council acknowledged the efforts invested in enacting the new law, which was meant to address shortcomings in the Electoral Act 2022.
However, it noted that some provisions in the 2026 Act have introduced new challenges that could hinder the development of political parties and undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
IPAC argued that Section 84(2) of the Act, which excludes indirect primaries, violates the constitutional right of political parties to manage their internal affairs, including determining how their candidates are nominated for elections.
According to IPAC, retaining the provision would significantly weaken party development and the democratic process.
The council recalled its role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic stability during the collation of the 2023 presidential election results, when it resisted attempts by some actors to disrupt the process.
It stated that it could not remain silent in the face of provisions that threaten the integrity of the country’s electoral system.
IPAC said it had drawn the attention of Nigerians and the international community, including the United Nations, European Union, ECOWAS, and diplomatic missions such as the United States and United Kingdom embassies, to its concerns.
The council outlined several areas requiring urgent amendment in the Electoral Act 2026 to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, credible and inclusive.
Among its demands is the restoration of indirect primaries, which it described as the prerogative of political parties in selecting candidates.
It also called for the removal of the requirement for party members to possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN), arguing that the provision could disenfranchise many Nigerians who do not have access to the identification system.
IPAC further demanded the expungement of Sections 77(4), (5), (6) and (7), which it said infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association.
The council also called for the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of election results after announcement at polling units, noting that its absence was widely criticized during the 2023 presidential election.
Additionally, IPAC urged lawmakers to introduce stricter penalties for vote buying, describing the practice as a major threat to credible elections.
The council also expressed concern over the removal of forged certificates as grounds for election petitions in the new law.
According to the council, such a provision could allow individuals with questionable credentials to occupy public office, which contradicts constitutional provisions and undermines public trust in leadership.
IPAC warned that if the National Assembly fails to address the identified anomalies through urgent amendments, political parties under the council may boycott the 2027 general elections and reject the legitimacy of the outcome.
The council also stated that it reserves the right to challenge some provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 in court.
