IPAC Threatens Boycott Of 2027 Elections Over Controversial Provisions In Electoral Act 2026

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has threatened to boycott the 2027 general elections if the Electoral Act 2026 is not urgently amended to address what it described as serious anomalies capable of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of IPAC’s General Assembly meeting held on Thursday, February 26, 2027, at the Council’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

In the communiqué jointly signed by IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf M. Dantalle, and National Secretary, Maxwell Mgbudem, the council said that although it acknowledged the effort invested in enacting the new electoral law, several provisions in the Act could weaken political parties and threaten democratic development.

IPAC said the new law contains clauses that contradict the council’s guiding principle of deepening democracy in Nigeria and could erode the spirit of multiparty participation in the country’s electoral process.

The council specifically criticised Section 84(2) of the Act, which excludes the use of indirect primaries by political parties. According to IPAC, the provision violates the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs and determine how candidates for elections are nominated.

“It is an established principle affirmed by judicial pronouncements, including those of the highest courts in Nigeria, that political parties possess certain fundamental rights in the administration of their internal affairs,” the communiqué stated.

The council warned that excluding indirect primaries would significantly undermine political party development and weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.

IPAC also recalled its role in defending Nigeria’s democratic process during controversies surrounding the collation of results in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, stating that it had resisted attempts by some actors to undermine the electoral process and plunge the country into crisis.

The council said it would draw the attention of the international community—including the United Nations, European Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United States Embassy and the British Embassy—to the concerns raised over the new law.

IPAC outlined several areas it said require urgent amendment to guarantee credible elections in 2027.

Among the demands is the restoration of indirect primaries to allow political parties decide how they select candidates. The council also called for the removal of the requirement that party members must possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN), arguing that the rule could disenfranchise many Nigerians who lack access to the identification system.

The council further demanded the expungement of Sections 77(4–7) of the Act, which it said infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association.

IPAC also insisted on the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of election results after announcements at polling units, describing its absence as a major flaw observed during the 2023 presidential election.

In addition, the council called for stronger penalties against vote buying, which it described as a major electoral malpractice undermining the credibility of elections.

Another major concern raised by IPAC is the removal of forged certificates as grounds for election petitions under the new Act. The council warned that the provision could allow individuals with questionable credentials to occupy public office, contrary to the aspirations of Nigerians for credible leadership.

IPAC therefore urged the National Assembly of Nigeria to urgently amend the law in line with constitutional provisions.

The council warned that if the anomalies are not addressed before the 2027 elections, political parties under its umbrella may boycott the polls and refuse to recognise the outcome.

According to the communiqué, such a development would render the elections illegitimate in the eyes of participating political parties and could pose a serious challenge to Nigeria’s democratic stability.