IPAC Threatens Boycott of 2027 Elections Over Electoral Act 2026 Provisions

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has raised serious concerns over certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, warning that political parties may boycott the 2027 general elections if the National Assembly fails to amend what it described as problematic sections of the law.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the IPAC General Assembly meeting held on February 26 at the council’s national secretariat in Abuja.

In the statement jointly signed by IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf M. Dantalle, and National Secretary, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, the council acknowledged the efforts made in enacting the Electoral Act 2026, which was intended to address shortcomings observed in the Electoral Act 2022. However, it expressed concern that some provisions in the new law could undermine the development of political parties and weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

According to IPAC, certain sections of the Act are inconsistent with its guiding objective of deepening democracy in Nigeria and may limit the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs.

One of the council’s major objections is the exclusion of indirect primaries under Section 84(2) of the Act. IPAC argued that the removal of indirect primaries infringes on the constitutional right of political parties to determine how they select candidates for elections.

The council stressed that judicial precedents in Nigeria have consistently affirmed the autonomy of political parties in administering their internal affairs, including the process of nominating candidates.

IPAC also recalled its role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process during the tense period surrounding the collation of results in the 2023 presidential election, when it said the council resisted attempts by some actors to disrupt the democratic order.

Given the current situation, IPAC said it would draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community—including the United Nations, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and diplomatic missions such as the United States and United Kingdom embassies—to its concerns.

The council maintained that urgent amendments to the Electoral Act are necessary to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, credible, and inclusive. It also stated that it reserves the right to challenge some provisions of the Act in court.

IPAC warned that if the National Assembly fails to address the identified issues, political parties under its umbrella may boycott the 2027 general elections and reject the outcome as illegitimate.

Among the key areas IPAC wants amended is the restoration of indirect primaries, which it said should remain an option for political parties in selecting candidates.

The council also called for the removal of the requirement for party members to provide their National Identification Number (NIN), arguing that the provision could disenfranchise many Nigerians who do not yet possess the identification number.

It further demanded the expungement of Sections 77(4), (5), (6), and (7) of the Act, stating that the provisions infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association.

Another major demand is the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of election results after their announcement at polling units. IPAC noted that the absence of this provision was a major flaw during the 2023 presidential election and should not be repeated.

The council also advocated stronger penalties for vote buying, describing it as one of the most serious electoral malpractices that undermine the credibility of elections.

In addition, IPAC called for the restoration of the presentation of forged certificates as grounds for election petitions. According to the council, removing this provision creates an opportunity for individuals with questionable credentials to hold public office and undermines the integrity of the democratic process.

It urged the National Assembly to align the Electoral Act with constitutional provisions that disqualify individuals with forged credentials from holding elective offices, warning that failure to do so could lead to avoidable legal disputes and damage Nigeria’s democratic image.