The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned it may boycott the 2027 General Elections if the National Assembly of Nigeria fails to amend key provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
The threat was contained in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of IPAC’s Expanded General Assembly meeting in Abuja.
The statement was signed by IPAC Chairman Yusuf Dantalle and National Secretary Maxwell Mgbudem.
IPAC argued that certain sections of the law could undermine political party development and weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.
The council stated that if the concerns of political parties are ignored, the results of the 2027 elections could be considered illegitimate and rejected by parties under its umbrella.
The council listed six critical areas requiring urgent amendment by the National Assembly including restoration of Indirect Primaries and insisted that political parties retain the constitutional right to determine their candidate nomination processes among others.
The council warned that requiring party members to possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN) could disenfranchise many Nigerians without access to the system.
The council called for the reinstatement of electronic transmission of election results from polling units, citing controversies in the 2023 presidential election as precedent.
IPAC urged stricter enforcement to curb this pervasive malpractice that undermines electoral credibility.
The council argued that removing this provision could allow candidates with questionable qualifications to contest and hold office, threatening the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
IPAC also announced plans to notify international stakeholders, including the United Nations, the European Union, ECOWAS, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Nigerian diaspora, about its concerns.
The council further reserved the right to seek legal redress in courts to challenge what it described as objectionable provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
IPAC concluded by urging the National Assembly to urgently align the Electoral Act with constitutional provisions to prevent unnecessary litigation and ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, and credible.
