ADC Chieftain Critiques N’Assembly on Electoral Act Changes

Ladan Salihu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed concerns regarding the National Assembly's decision to remove the certificate forgery provision from the Electoral Act, which he claims is politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections. During a program on Arise Television, Salihu argued that this legislative decision reflects the increasing influence of the executive branch over the legislature, suggesting that lawmakers often align with presidential interests rather than acting independently.

He raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability of Nigeria's electoral system, asserting that the removal of the forgery provision could limit the judiciary's ability to address electoral disputes in the future. In response, Felix Morka, the APC's National Publicity Secretary, rejected Salihu's claims, emphasizing that the Electoral Act cannot override the Nigerian Constitution and that certificate forgery remains a criminal offense under Nigerian law, regardless of the provisions in the Electoral Act.