Political Parties Threaten 2027 Election Boycott Over Controversial Electoral Act 2026
Political tension is building ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as political parties across the country raise serious objections to controversial provisions contained in the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
PulseNets learnt that several political parties have warned they may boycott the 2027 general elections if the National Assembly fails to urgently review sections of the law they believe threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.
The warning was issued on Thursday by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body representing registered political parties in Nigeria.
PulseNets reported that the council expressed deep concern that certain provisions within the new electoral law could weaken political party structures and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the next nationwide polls.
The position of the council was made known after an emergency meeting involving leaders and representatives of multiple political parties held at the IPAC national secretariat in Abuja.
Following the meeting, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle addressed journalists and acknowledged the effort invested in passing the Electoral Act 2026, but cautioned that some of its provisions could create serious challenges for Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to Dantalle, although the legislation was expected to improve on the Electoral Act 2022, certain sections of the new law now threaten the operational independence of political parties.
He stated:
“While appreciating the considerable effort and energy invested in the enactment of the new Electoral Act 2026, the Council notes with concern that certain provisions in the Act have introduced new issues that are not conducive to the development of political parties, particularly in view of IPAC’s guiding principle of ‘Deepening Democracy in Nigeria.’”
“Unfortunately, there are clear indications that some aspects of the new Electoral Act 2026 undermine this fundamental objective and are inconsistent with the spirit of multiparty democracy.”
One of the major issues raised by IPAC relates to Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which excludes the use of indirect primaries in the selection of party candidates.
PulseNets obtained that the council believes the provision interferes with the constitutional right of political parties to determine their internal political processes.
Dantalle explained that several judicial pronouncements have previously affirmed the right of political parties to manage their internal affairs without undue interference.
He said:
“It is an established principle, affirmed by several judicial pronouncements, that political parties possess certain fundamental rights in the administration of their internal affairs. However, the new Electoral Act 2026 has curtailed this right through Section 84(2), which excludes indirect primaries.”
“IPAC believes that the exclusion of indirect primaries constitutes a violation of the constitutional right of political parties to regulate their internal affairs, including determining the method of nominating their candidates for elections.”
Another major concern highlighted by the council involves the absence of a clear provision mandating the electronic transmission of election results in the new electoral law.
PulseNets learnt that IPAC believes the failure to include mandatory electronic transmission from polling units could reopen controversies similar to those that followed the 2023 presidential election.
Dantalle stressed that restoring the provision is essential to strengthening transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He stated:
“The mandatory electronic transmission of election results after announcement at polling units must be restored. Its absence was a major flaw during the 2023 presidential election, and such a lapse must not be allowed to undermine future elections, including the 2027 General Elections.”
The council also raised alarm over a provision requiring members of political parties to upload their National Identification Number (NIN) during party registration.
According to IPAC, the requirement could potentially disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who do not yet have access to the national identification system.
Dantalle warned:
“The requirement that members of political parties must possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN) should be expunged. This provision will disenfranchise a significant number of Nigerians who do not have access to NIN and constitutes a violation of their rights under Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
PulseNets reported that the council further demanded the removal of Sections 77(4–7) of the Electoral Act 2026, called for stronger legal penalties against vote buying, and urged lawmakers to restore forged academic certificates as valid grounds for election petitions.
IPAC warned that it would escalate the matter if the National Assembly fails to address the concerns raised by political parties.
Dantalle declared:
“In the present circumstances, IPAC cannot fold its arms. The time to act is now. Accordingly, IPAC has resolved to draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community, including the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), ECOWAS, the US and UK embassies and Nigerians in the diaspora to these concerns.”
The council also issued a strong warning that political parties under the IPAC umbrella may refuse to participate in the 2027 general elections if the controversial provisions are not amended.
He concluded:
“Should the National Assembly fail to address these anomalies through urgent amendments to the Act, political parties under the umbrella of IPAC will be compelled to boycott the 2027 General Elections. In such circumstances, the outcome of the elections will be rejected as illegitimate and will not be recognised by the political parties.”
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PulseNets learnt that the controversy surrounding the new law comes weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The legislation was passed earlier by the National Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the next general election cycle.
