2027 electoral timetable violates Electoral Act, says Gbenga Hashim
A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of issuing an illegal timetable for
- From Tony Akowe, Abuja
A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of issuing an illegal timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Hashim, speaking when the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, visited him, said the timetable released by the electoral body was "illegal because it goes against the provisions of the Electoral Act."
He drew attention to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, which stipulates that political parties must submit their list of candidates to the commission no later than 120 days before an election.
He said the provision implies that parties should have until around August or September to conclude their primaries, while criticising INEC’s directive requiring primaries to end by May.
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According to him, the timetable has effectively shortened the timeline by several months and places undue pressure on opposition parties already grappling with internal disputes and litigation.
While acknowledging recent adjustments by INEC to deadlines for the submission of the party register, Hashim maintained that the fundamental concern regarding the compressed timetable remains unresolved.
He also spoke of the need to intensify cross-party consultations aimed at forging a broad-based coalition to counter what he described as a gradual drift toward a one-party state in Nigeria.
He also stressed the urgency of opposition unity, noting that collaboration among political actors is essential to preserve democratic pluralism and institutional balance.
He argued that opposition parties are increasingly constrained by internal divisions and external pressures that undermine their capacity to organise and function effectively.
Hashim reiterated that Nigeria’s democracy must be safeguarded through cooperation among political stakeholders committed to accountability, equity, and a competitive multi-party system. He warned against any attempt to concentrate political power in a manner that could undermine democratic choice.
The consultations are expected to continue in the coming months as stakeholders explore pathways for broader cooperation ahead of future elections.
