The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his recent remarks dismissing opposition concerns about the Electoral Act 2026.
Speaking at a reception for First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, Akpabio suggested that opposition complaints were a sign that the law was “right” and that he was pleased with its passage.
But in a swift reaction, the ADC, through a statement obtained by ENigeria Newspaper from its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that opposition objections are grounded in legitimate concerns, not political noise. The party said that certain provisions of the law were introduced to weaken other political parties, undermine democracy, and tarnish Nigeria’s global standing.
“The removal of certificate forgery as grounds to challenge elections is particularly troubling”, part of the statemed had read.
The ADC said it could not reason how any “self-respecting person be happy with himself for presiding over the making of a law that now says the election of an individual can no longer be challenged on the grounds of certificate forgery as provided in Section 138 of the Electoral Act 2026, even though this is in direct contradiction to Sections 66, 107, 137, and 182 of the Constitution, which clearly disqualify anyone who has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from holding public office?”
The opposition party described Akpabio’s excitement over the law as evidence of a legislature that has prioritized the interests of one party over national ethics.
“This legislation appears designed to protect dishonesty rather than punish it,” the ADC said, noting the long-term damage such a precedent could have on Nigeria’s democratic and moral standards.
ADC further warned that Nigerians will judge leaders not by their ridicule of the opposition, but by their actions.
“The legacy of this National Assembly will be remembered as one that lowered the ethical standards of our country to serve the interest of a single individual,” the party added.
The ADC reiterated its commitment to providing a credible political alternative aimed at restoring integrity, accountability, and competence in governance, assuring Nigerians that the party will remain focused on defending democratic principles.
