The African Democratic Congress has accused the National Assembly of deliberately frustrating critical electoral reforms by delaying passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that continued inaction threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Saturday by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party specifically targeted the APC-led Senate for stalling the legislation and warned against weakening or diluting key provisions including electronic voter accreditation and results transmission.

The ADC’s accusation comes as civil society organizations and election observers express mounting alarm over the Senate’s failure to conclude action on a bill already passed by the House of Representatives at third reading on December 23, 2025.

According to Abdullahi, the deliberate delay appears designed to prevent the implementation of reforms that could level the electoral playing field and reduce opportunities for manipulation that characterized the 2023 general elections.

“We are calling on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Electoral Bill 2025. Continued delays could undermine critical electoral reforms and threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections,” the ADC spokesman stated.

The Senate inaugurated a seven-member ad hoc committee on Thursday to review, harmonize and streamline senators’ contributions to the proposed amendments, following a three-hour closed-door executive session examining the Electoral Act Repeal and Re-Enactment Bill.

However, the ADC and civil society groups argue that further committee work at this stage represents another delaying tactic when time-sensitive reforms require immediate legislative action.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has joined ADC in condemning the delay, expressing grave concern that the Senate’s continued inaction undermines Nigeria’s electoral reform process and threatens timely preparations for the 2027 polls.

Situation Room noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission is legally required to issue the Notice of Election in February 2026, meaning any further slippage in passing the Electoral Bill could place the entire election cycle at risk.

The civil society coalition stressed that electoral reform is not routine legislation but a time-sensitive national obligation that requires urgent completion to allow INEC sufficient time to plan, implement and sensitize stakeholders under a revised legal framework.

The organization criticized the extended National Assembly recess extending into 2026 as inexcusable, noting that established democracies including the United Kingdom, United States, Kenya and South Africa maintain structured calendars allowing priority legislation to proceed even during recess periods.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently alleged that loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 undermined the credibility of the 2023 general elections, stating that the law’s gaps enabled widespread rigging and made it extremely difficult for petitioners to win cases in court.

INEC had forwarded 142 post-election recommendations to the National Assembly in May 2025, with eight requiring constitutional or Electoral Act amendments, but lawmakers have shown limited urgency in addressing these technical concerns raised by the electoral umpire.

The Electoral Bill seeks to address critical deficiencies observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, provisions for early voting, and tougher sanctions for electoral offenses.

Under current timelines, if the Senate fails to conclude action on the bill within the coming weeks, the proposed reforms will automatically lapse, meaning Nigeria would head into another election cycle under the same 2022 Electoral Act whose gaps and ambiguities were exposed during the 2023 polls.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has also called on the National Assembly to fast-track critical legislative reforms, particularly electoral-related bills, emphasizing that electoral reform remains a core demand of Nigerian citizens following lessons from the 2023 general elections.

ADC warned that the APC government appears more focused on retaining power than implementing reforms that ensure free and fair elections, noting that even under the current timetable, incumbent structures at state and federal levels are already campaigning.

The party urged lawmakers to demonstrate leadership, foresight and patriotism by prioritizing electoral reforms that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians rather than partisan political calculations aimed at maintaining advantages for the ruling party.

Civil society organizations have vowed to intensify public pressure on the Senate to prioritize the Electoral Bill immediately upon resumption from recess, with plans for advocacy campaigns demanding accountability from lawmakers who continue to delay electoral reform legislation.

The House of Representatives is preparing to honour its outgoing Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, as he approaches mandatory retirement from the National Assembly Service on February 8, 2026, after attaining the statutory retirement age.

The National Assembly Service Commission announced on January 21 the appointment of Kamoru Sidi as Acting Clerk of the House of Representatives effective February 9, 2026, to succeed Danzaria following his retirement.

Sidi, who previously served as Director of Administration in the National Assembly, brings extensive experience in parliamentary management and legislative operations to the position.

The Commission’s decision formally ends Danzaria’s tenure as one of the most transformative Clerks in the history of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career dedicated to strengthening parliamentary governance.

Dr. Danzaria, a native of Yelwa-Yauri in Kebbi State, has been widely praised for his professionalism, transparency and commitment to institutional excellence during his stewardship of the 10th House of Representatives.

Under his leadership, the House witnessed significant strides in administrative efficiency, including the comprehensive digitization of parliamentary documents and procedures that improved accessibility and transparency in legislative operations.

Colleagues and legislative experts have described Danzaria as the “unseen engine” of the parliament, whose behind-the-scenes work ensured the seamless operation of legislative machinery while lawmakers remained the visible faces of the institution.

His strategic thinking, meticulous planning and ability to bridge gaps among various stakeholders created an environment where legislative duties were executed with professionalism despite the complex administrative system governing the chamber.

Throughout his tenure, Danzaria maintained high standards of transparency and accountability, earning respect and admiration from lawmakers, administrative staff and the broader legislative community at a time when allegations of corruption and inefficiency have eroded public trust in governance.

A critical aspect of his legacy has been anticipating challenges and proactively addressing them, demonstrating deep understanding of the legislative agenda’s long-term implications while aligning the House’s administrative functions with its legislative priorities.

By fostering an environment focused on institutional re-engineering, Danzaria helped create a more efficient, responsive and citizen-centric parliament where lawmakers could concentrate on their primary mandate of legislating for national progress rather than being burdened by bureaucratic impediments.

His approach to bureaucratic reform ensured that administrative systems served as catalysts for meaningful change, supporting bills that enhanced national development and positioning the House for greater effectiveness in its constitutional responsibilities.

Lawmakers have credited Danzaria with providing invaluable guidance on legislative procedures, parliamentary ethics and institutional best practices, noting that his departure represents the loss of significant institutional memory and expertise.

The outgoing Clerk’s commitment to staff development was demonstrated through numerous training workshops focused on legislative work ethics, behavioural conduct and modern parliamentary practices aligned with global standards.

Danzaria consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining secrecy on official government documents, reminding staff that the 1962 Oath of Secrecy Act remains in force to demonstrate the premium placed on confidential information.

As his retirement approaches, tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s political landscape, with many describing him as a rare public servant whose quiet but impactful contributions laid the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society.

The House of Representatives is expected to hold a formal valedictory session before Danzaria’s departure, providing an opportunity for Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, principal officers and members to pay tribute to his exceptional service and dedication to parliamentary excellence.

Kamoru Sidi will inherit a well-organized and digitally-enhanced administrative structure, positioning him to build upon the solid foundation established by his predecessor while navigating the evolving challenges facing Nigeria’s legislature.

North Central youths have unveiled a dedicated support platform endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding another regional voice to the growing wave of youth mobilization across Nigeria.

The North Central Youths Support Group for Tinubu 2027 announced its formation alongside plans for a formal public inauguration scheduled to take place at the Tinubu Support Group Office at No. 2 Kainji Crescent, off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Former House of Representatives member Hassan Omale Atayoma will lead the organization as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, bringing legislative experience and familiarity with federal governance to the movement.

Atayoma, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, oversees programs linked to water resource management, agriculture and infrastructure development, experience that supporters believe will enhance the group’s administrative efficiency.

The organization has also appointed Comrade Isa Daniel (Prof) as Advisor. He presently serves as Deputy Director of Organising at the APC National Secretariat, a position associated with party coordination and nationwide mobilization.

Political backing for the initiative includes Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as Grand Patron, whose role is expected to provide mentorship, strategic counsel and national visibility for the youth movement.

Organizers have positioned the platform as a vehicle for youth-led advocacy, political engagement and grassroots mobilization across the North Central geopolitical zone comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The group pledged commitment to peace, unity, democratic principles and policies aimed at economic growth, job creation and sustainable national development under Tinubu’s leadership.

The North Central endorsement follows a similar declaration by the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum, which raised ₦200 million to purchase President Tinubu’s APC nomination form for the 2027 elections.

At a high-level youth engagement held in Abuja on Monday, NNYLF National Leader Murtala Gamji announced that the forum had unanimously decided to support Tinubu’s second term, citing achievements in security, agriculture, infrastructure and youth empowerment.

“We believe in the unity of Nigeria and in the agreement that the South should complete its eight years before the North comes in,” Gamji stated, adding that northern youths would stand by President Tinubu as he completes a second term.

The ₦200 million cheque was presented to Director-General of the Tinubu Support Groups, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who described it as a generous and impactful contribution demonstrating northern youth faith in the president’s leadership.

Similarly, Kogi State youths on Sunday presented a ₦100 million cheque to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to cover the cost of Tinubu’s APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaya Anebei, said the donation represents the collective resolve of young people across Kogi’s 21 local government areas to back President Tinubu for a second term.

Governor Ododo described the endorsement as neither emotional nor symbolic, but a deliberate and collective decision rooted in youth assessment of Tinubu’s leadership, citing gradual naira stabilization, increased food availability and improved fuel affordability.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria has also declared nationwide support for Tinubu, with President Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo pledging to mobilize 40 to 60 million youth votes to guarantee victory in 2027.

However, barely one week after its grand opening, part of Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi, Benue State, was demolished by officials of the Benue State Urban Development Board, sparking controversy and raising questions about the challenges facing pro-Tinubu mobilization efforts in some North Central states.

Despite the setback, organizers of the North Central Youths Support Group have expressed confidence that their grassroots network and leadership structure will effectively deliver the region’s youth vote for President Tinubu’s re-election.