Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal, warning that shifting Nigeria’s 2027 polls could disrupt governance and weaken electoral preparations

Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal, warning that the National Assembly’s plan to move Nigeria’s general elections forward by several months could harm democratic processes and disrupt governance.

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Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, a South-West chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), issued the caution on Thursday, responding to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 currently under consideration by lawmakers.

The bill proposes holding presidential and governorship elections in November 2026, rather than the traditional February/March 2027 dates. Its stated aim is to ensure the conclusion of all election petitions before the May 29 handover.

But Ajadi, who was the NNPP’s Ogun State governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, described the proposal as *unnecessary, ill-timed, and counterproductive.

According to him, “Shifting the election to 2026 will weaken political institutions and plunge the nation into prolonged politicking at the expense of governance.”

He noted that credible elections require adequate time for preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and candidates. Compressing the timeline, he warned, would place undue pressure on the entire system.

Ajadi insisted the judiciary—not the legislature—should bear the responsibility for ensuring that election petitions are resolved promptly, rather than altering the electoral calendar to accommodate litigation concerns.

“The rationale does not hold water. It is the judiciary’s responsibility to prioritise electoral cases and conclude them within a reasonable time. Shifting elections forward undermines planning, preparation, and stability,” he stated.

Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal also on grounds that it could disrupt governance and ongoing reforms, especially with ministers and state governors already under pressure to deliver on campaign promises.

“We cannot be in a perpetual election cycle. Development suffers when politics takes centre stage too early. The National Assembly must be mindful of the grave implications,” he said.

Ajadi’s remarks come amid broader national debate, with other opposition voices also criticising the proposed amendment for its potential to strain institutions and distract from governance.

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As discussions on the Electoral Act amendment continue, the NNPP stalwart urged lawmakers to consult widely and prioritise the long-term health of Nigeria’s democracy over procedural convenience.