ADC, Civil Rights Leaders Condemn Electoral Act Amendment, Vow to Defend Democracy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s swift assent to the controversial Electoral Act Amendment, describing it as a severe blow to Nigeria’s democracy and a potential blueprint for election manipulation ahead of 2027.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticized the president for acting hastily despite widespread public objections, warning that the move aligns with the ruling party’s alleged plan to rig future elections.

Prominent politicians and civil rights figures—including Prof. Pat Utomi, Femi Falana (SAN), Oby Ezekwesili, Olisa Agbakoba, and Usman Bugaje—also faulted the law, calling it “a scam and a coup against the Nigerian people.” Acting under the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), the group pledged to mobilize citizens to resist any attempts at electoral manipulation.

Other MCE signatories include Ayuba Wabba, Bilikisu Magoro, Adewole Adebayo, Nkoyo Toyo, Ene Obi, Promise Adewusi, Peter Randy Akah, Salisu Mohamed, and Olawale Okunniyi.

The ADC warned that the amendments weaken safeguards such as mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, introducing ambiguous “failure” clauses that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process. The party vowed to defend democracy “using every constitutional and lawful means available,” mobilizing Nigerians toward vigilance and lawful participation.

The coalition cautioned that the changes could trigger democratic backsliding, social polarization, investor flight, and youth disillusionment, and stressed that any instability following the 2027 elections would be the responsibility of policymakers, not citizens defending their rights.

Declaring “credible elections or nothing,” the MCE affirmed its commitment to escalate civic action and protect Nigeria’s hard-won democratic gains from erosion.