IPAC Rejects Electoral Act 2026 as INEC Unveils New Party Guidelines
The Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) has formally rejected key provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, issuing a stark warning that the legislation could significantly undermine the credibility of Nigeria's upcoming 2027 general elections if urgent amendments are not implemented. This dramatic development unfolded as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) simultaneously unveiled its freshly reviewed draft Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2026, submitting them to stakeholders for critical input and consultation.
IPAC's Strong Opposition to New Electoral Provisions
Speaking at a high-stakes consultative meeting organized by INEC for political party leaders in Abuja, IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, delivered a forceful critique of the Electoral Act 2026. He described the legislation as a significant and disappointing departure from public expectation, despite widespread Nigerian participation during the extensive amendment process. Dantalle argued persuasively that, rather than strengthening the nation's democratic foundations, the Act introduces several problematic provisions that could actively weaken electoral integrity and severely limit political inclusivity.
Dantalle particularly highlighted two contentious issues:
- The mandatory adoption of direct primaries by all political parties, which he insisted should remain an internal affair of each party and not be subject to legislative imposition.
- The requirement for political parties to submit comprehensive membership registers, including National Identification Numbers (NINs), within an extremely narrow window between April 1 and 21, 2026. He labeled this provision as fundamentally impractical, warning it risks excluding millions of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration, thereby directly undermining participatory democracy.
INEC's Assurance of Neutrality and Regulatory Vigilance
In response to the growing tensions, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, provided firm assurances that the electoral commission would maintain strict neutrality in the intense inter-party competition for power, while remaining actively engaged in its crucial regulatory role. Amupitan stressed emphatically that INEC would not stand idly by and watch any breach of extant electoral rules and regulations.
During the consultative meeting with political party chairmen, Amupitan disclosed that the 2022 regulations governing electoral processes at the party level had undergone a thorough and comprehensive review. The resulting document, he explained, would serve as the primary working framework for the monumental 2027 general elections. While earnestly urging all party leaders to meticulously study the draft guidelines, the INEC chairman emphasized that the stakeholder consultation was absolutely necessary to create an electoral framework that genuinely reflects the aspirations of the Nigerian people.
"INEC cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map," Amupitan contended, noting that continuous reform was essential to improve the credibility and transparency of the country's entire electoral system. He further revealed that earlier in March, the electoral body had conducted an intensive technical review exercise, followed by a meticulous clause-by-clause realignment of the regulations to ensure they were both legally sound and operationally consistent with the new 2026 Electoral Act.
ADC's Call for Credible Platforms Amid National Challenges
Amid these electoral debates, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, declared that the rising level of maladministration and systemic mismanagement across all sectors of the Nigerian economy has ignited a burning desire among citizens to seek out credible political platforms ahead of next year's pivotal general elections. Mark made this declaration while formally receiving the report of the ADC's committee on the review of the party's constitution.
The former Senate President maintained that a party's constitution is not merely a document but the very soul of its collective aspirations and its preparedness to offer good, people-oriented leadership. Represented by the National Legal Adviser of ADC, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor (SAN), Mark stated that the task of reviewing the ADC constitution must accurately reflect the contemporary realities of the time, the legitimate expectations of party members, and the urgent need to strengthen internal democracy, transparency, and accountability within political institutions.
