NASS Proposal for November 2026 General Elections Sparks Fresh Debate

The National Assembly’s proposal to hold Nigeria’s next general elections — including the presidential, governorship, and legislative polls — in November 2026 has stirred widespread controversy, especially among opposition groups such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The lawmakers are seeking to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to mandate that elections for the offices of President and Governor be held no later than 185 days before the end of their tenure, effectively setting November 20, 2026 as the election date. This marks a sharp departure from the traditional February or March schedule.

Governance Concerns

Critics argue that the proposed timeline could undermine governance, as incumbents may abandon administrative responsibilities to focus on re-election campaigns. They warn that state resources and federal allocations could be diverted toward political campaigns rather than public infrastructure and welfare.

Opponents also fear that an extended campaign season would intensify political tension and reduce the quality of governance, with officials prioritizing electoral gains over citizens’ needs.

Supporters’ Argument

However, proponents of the proposal believe it would enhance Nigeria’s electoral integrity by allowing enough time for litigation and appeals to be resolved before elected officials are sworn in.

They argue that the current system — where officeholders sometimes face legal challenges years after inauguration — is unhealthy for democracy, as it allows “wrongly declared winners” to govern millions before courts render final verdicts.

Lagos-based lawyer Kayode Akiolu contends that holding presidential and governorship elections on the same day would reduce electoral manipulation. “It will minimize fraud because both the president and governors would be too busy fighting for their own survival to influence outcomes for each other,” he said.

Akiolu cited the 2023 Lagos elections as an example, claiming that if both polls had been held the same day, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu might have lost to Labour Party’s Rhodes Vivour, as federal forces would not have been available to influence state results.

Legislative Details

The proposed amendment, highlighted in Section 4(7) of the draft bill, states that presidential and gubernatorial elections must be conducted no later than 185 days before the expiration of incumbents’ terms. Consequently, the 2027 elections would fall in November 2026.

During a public hearing by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, lawmakers also suggested that National and State Assembly elections follow the same timeline.

Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, explained that the amendment aims to resolve Nigeria’s recurring post-election litigation delays. The proposal includes reducing the timeframe for tribunal judgments from 180 days to 90 days and limiting appellate rulings to 60 days, ensuring all disputes are settled before inauguration.

To implement the change, amendments would be made to Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the 1999 Constitution, transferring the power to determine election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act.

Additionally, the lawmakers proposed early voting for certain groups — including security personnel, INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, and ad hoc staff — up to 14 days before the main election.

Opposition from ADC and Analysts

Despite these assurances, the ADC has strongly rejected the plan, warning that it would entrench a “permanent campaign mode” in Nigerian politics.

In a statement by its interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that the proposal would shorten the effective governance period and plunge the nation into “endless politicking.”

“By shifting elections to November 2026, campaigns will begin as early as 2025, leaving only two years of meaningful governance,” the ADC said. “The result will be policy paralysis, abandoned projects, and misplaced priorities.”

The party urged the National Assembly to prioritize genuine electoral and judicial reforms over date adjustments, emphasizing that the focus should be on strengthening institutions to deliver timely and credible election judgments.

Calls for Institutional Reforms

Public affairs analyst Prince Johnson Meekor echoed similar concerns, noting that other democracies ensure swift electoral justice without altering their election timelines.

“In Kenya, the Supreme Court resolves presidential petitions within 14 days. In Indonesia, it takes about 14 working days, and in Ghana, 42 days,” he said. “Nigeria’s problem is not the election calendar but weak institutions and inefficient adjudication processes.”

He concluded that rather than shifting election dates, Nigeria should focus on institutional efficiency, strengthening INEC, and reforming the judiciary to handle disputes promptly.

“Changing election dates without fixing systemic weaknesses only masks inefficiency,” Meekor warned. “We need reforms that promote credible, swift justice — not perpetual campaigns.”