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The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has issued a strongly worded warning over the timetable for the 2027 General Elections, alleging that Nigeria may be heading into another electoral cycle without critical legal reforms due to what it described as a deliberate legislative delay aimed at weakening transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The coalition made its position known in an extensive press statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, who accused political actors of deliberately frustrating widely demanded amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws.

The statement was released in reaction to the recently unveiled timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which officially commenced the countdown to the 2027 General Elections with detailed timelines covering party primaries, campaigns, candidate nominations and election dates.

While acknowledging INEC’s constitutional responsibility, the CNPP expressed serious reservations about the broader political context surrounding the electoral schedule. The coalition stated that although the Commission had acted within legal boundaries, the circumstances surrounding the timetable’s release raise significant concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness to conduct credible elections.

“The CNPP has carefully reviewed the recently released timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections by INEC and wishes to express deep concern over the unfolding political and legislative developments surrounding preparations for the forthcoming elections,” Ezema stated in the press release.

He further emphasised that the timetable’s release appears to expose deeper political manoeuvring aimed at frustrating electoral reforms that many Nigerians have consistently demanded.

According to the CNPP, “It is becoming increasingly obvious that the persistent delay by the Senate in concluding legislative processes on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 was not accidental. Rather, emerging developments strongly suggest that the delay was orchestrated to create a procedural and political environment that would make it easier for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lawfully withhold assent to any eventual amendment bill on the grounds that the electoral process has already commenced following the release of the INEC timetable.”

The coalition described the development as “deeply troubling and potentially injurious to Nigeria’s democratic progress,” warning that the delay undermines the collective demand for electoral reforms championed by political stakeholders, civil society groups and democracy advocates.

The CNPP further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the APC-dominated 10th National Assembly of Nigeria of deliberately frustrating popular calls for electoral reforms.

In the statement, Ezema declared that, “The actions and inactions of the APC-dominated National Assembly have raised legitimate suspicions that the popular demand for electoral reforms is being deliberately suppressed. The CNPP is particularly concerned that the ruling APC, through its overwhelming legislative control, appears to be prioritising partisan political calculations over national democratic consolidation.”

The coalition stressed that electoral reforms should not be reduced to partisan political battles but must be treated as a national democratic necessity. It insisted that improving electoral laws is fundamental to sustaining public trust and guaranteeing legitimate electoral outcomes.

The CNPP noted that Nigeria’s electoral system still contains critical gaps that require urgent legislative strengthening. According to the coalition, the absence of clear legal backing for electronic transmission of results, weak enforcement of sanctions against electoral malpractice and persistent internal party democratic deficiencies remain major threats to credible elections.

“Electoral laws must continually evolve to address emerging challenges, technological advancements, judicial interpretations, and operational gaps identified during previous election cycles,” the statement read.

The coalition warned that failure to implement robust reforms before the commencement of the 2027 electoral cycle could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s democracy.

“The CNPP therefore warns that proceeding into the 2027 general elections without implementing robust legal reforms that guarantee electoral credibility will have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability,” Ezema stated.

He added that one of the most immediate dangers of conducting elections under questionable legal frameworks is voter apathy, which he noted has already manifested in declining voter participation across successive election cycles.

“One of the most immediate dangers is the growing risk of voter apathy, which has already manifested in declining voter turnout across successive election cycles. When citizens lose confidence in the integrity of electoral processes, democratic participation suffers significantly,” the statement noted.

The CNPP also warned that public distrust in elections could escalate into broader institutional distrust.

“The erosion of public faith in the electoral system inevitably translates into declining trust in governance institutions and elected leadership. Such developments create fertile ground for political instability, social discontent, and legitimacy crises that could have been avoided through proactive legislative action,” the coalition warned.

While acknowledging the constitutional authority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding assent to legislation, the CNPP urged him to demonstrate democratic statesmanship by supporting electoral reforms rather than rejecting them.

The coalition appealed directly to the President, stating, “We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above partisan political considerations and choose the path of democratic statesmanship. As a beneficiary of Nigeria’s democratic system and a long-standing advocate of democratic governance, the President must recognise that history will judge his administration not merely by political victories but by the strength and credibility of democratic institutions under his watch.”

The CNPP further cautioned the President against taking advantage of the legislative delays to withhold assent to electoral reform bills.

“The CNPP therefore calls on President Tinubu to resist any opportunity created by legislative delays that could justify withholding assent to necessary electoral reforms. Instead, we urge him to demonstrate leadership by supporting amendments that enhance electoral transparency, fairness, and public confidence,” the statement added.

The coalition also issued a strong call to lawmakers to expedite work on pending electoral reform bills, insisting that Nigeria cannot afford to enter another general election cycle without addressing fundamental legal shortcomings.

“Nigeria cannot afford to enter another general election cycle under a legal framework widely considered inadequate by electoral stakeholders,” Ezema stated.

Reaffirming its advocacy stance, the CNPP pledged to continue mobilising political parties, civil society organisations and democratic stakeholders to demand credible and transparent elections.

The coalition concluded with a strong warning that the integrity of the 2027 elections could determine the future stability of Nigeria’s democratic system.

“Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The 2027 general elections present another critical opportunity to deepen democratic consolidation, and that opportunity must not be squandered through avoidable legislative and executive complacency,” the statement concluded.

Political analysts say the CNPP’s position reflects growing concerns among opposition parties and civil society organisations about the legal framework that will govern the next general elections, with debates over electoral reforms expected to dominate Nigeria’s political discourse in the coming months.

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