The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining Nigeria’s democracy by assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
In a statement on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the president’s action amounts to “signing the death warrant on credible elections”.
‘Democracy Set Back by Decades’
The party described the speed of the amendment’s passage and assent as alarming.
Abdullahi said the development has set Nigeria’s democracy back by several decades.
The opposition spokesman noted that many Nigerians are demanding stronger accountability and full modernisation of the electoral system.
He argued that although the president claimed the amendment would consolidate democracy, it introduces ambiguity. He also said it permits excessive discretion in the collation and transmission of results.
ADC Questions Haste
The ADC said it is instructive that a government that controls more than 30 states and holds a majority in the national assembly rushed the amendment.
The party said the haste raises questions. It asked why a politically dominant administration would hurry changes to the electoral framework.
According to the ADC, the move suggests doubts about facing a transparent and competitive process.
The party accused the president and the APC-led national assembly of failing to listen to Nigerians. It said they ignored calls for broader engagement before signing the bill into law.
Concerns Over Electronic Transparency
The ADC expressed concern about what it described as the absence of firm guarantees for electronic transparency.
It said without clear safeguards for electronic transmission, citizens may feel compelled to protect their votes physically. It warned that this could increase tension between polling units and collation centres.
The party said no government confident in its mandate should take steps that heighten electoral tension.
ADC Vows Lawful Action
The ADC said it is ready to defend Nigeria’s democracy using constitutional and lawful means.
“As a duly constituted political party in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the actions taken by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, 18th February, the ADC affirms in the strongest and clearest possible terms that we are ready, willing, and prepared to defend the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy using every constitutional and lawful means available to us,” the statement read.
The party said it will mobilise Nigerians toward vigilance and lawful participation, calling for unity in defence of constitutional rights.
It insisted that the will of the people must prevail, adding that no law, however hastily enacted, can extinguish the democratic aspirations of Nigerians.
