By John Dike, Osogbo
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned that political parties under its umbrella may boycott the 2027 Nigerian General Elections if the National Assembly fails to urgently amend contentious provisions in the Electoral Act 2026.
In a communiqué issued after its General Assembly meeting at the council’s national secretariat in Abuja, IPAC said several sections of the law undermine multiparty democracy and restrict the ability of political parties to manage their internal affairs.
The communiqué was co-signed by IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, and National Secretary, Maxwell Mgbudem.
IPAC warned that failure to correct the “anomalies” in the law could lead to a boycott of the 2027 elections by member parties.
“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,” the council stated.
According to the council, although the new legislation was intended to correct shortcomings in the Electoral Act 2022, it has introduced provisions that contradict the objective of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.
Opposition to Ban on Indirect Primaries
One of IPAC’s major objections is Section 84(2) of the new law, which excludes indirect primaries as a method for selecting candidates.
The council argued that the provision interferes with the established right of political parties to determine how they nominate candidates.
IPAC noted that several court rulings in Nigeria have affirmed the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs, stressing that the removal of indirect primaries undermines this principle.
Objection to NIN Requirement
The council also called for the removal of the requirement that party members must provide and upload their National Identification Number (Nigeria).
According to IPAC, the provision could disenfranchise many Nigerians who do not yet have access to the identification system and may violate Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens’ right to participate in governance.
Concerns Over Other Provisions
IPAC further demanded the removal of Section 77 (4–7) of the Act, arguing that the subsections infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association.
On election transparency, the council insisted that electronic transmission of results from polling units must be reinstated to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
It also criticised what it described as weaker penalties for vote buying under the new law and called for stricter sanctions to deter electoral malpractice.
Certificate Forgery Issue
Another major concern raised by the council is the removal of forged certificates as grounds for election petitions.
IPAC warned that the provision could allow individuals with questionable credentials to occupy public office, adding that it contradicts constitutional provisions regarding eligibility for elective positions.
According to the council, the National Assembly must align the Electoral Act with the Constitution to avoid legal disputes and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
IPAC also recalled that it played a stabilising role during tensions surrounding the collation of results in the 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election, insisting that it remains committed to defending Nigeria’s democratic process.
