The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned that political parties across Nigeria may boycott the 2027 general elections if contentious provisions in the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 are not urgently reviewed and amended.
The umbrella body representing registered political parties expressed concern that the law, recently signed by Bola Tinubu, contains clauses that could weaken internal party democracy and undermine the credibility of the country’s electoral process.
Speaking to journalists after an emergency meeting held at the council’s national secretariat in Abuja, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle said the council had resolved to mobilise political parties nationwide to resist the provisions if the National Assembly of Nigeria fails to make necessary corrections.
Dantalle noted that although the Electoral Act 2026 was designed to address shortcomings identified in the Electoral Act 2022, several new sections of the law have introduced additional challenges that could weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.
According to him, political parties are increasingly worried that some of the provisions may interfere with their internal processes and reduce their independence in managing party affairs. He warned that unless the contentious areas are amended promptly, parties could be forced to take collective action to defend democratic principles.
The IPAC chairman stressed that credible elections depend on laws that promote fairness, transparency and inclusiveness, adding that any legislation capable of eroding these principles must be urgently revisited.
He therefore called on lawmakers to engage with political stakeholders and review the disputed sections of the Electoral Act to ensure that Nigeria’s democratic framework remains strong ahead of the 2027 polls.
