2027: APC Opposes Push for Single-Day Elections Backed by Opposition

A political face-off is emerging over a proposed constitutional amendment that would require all elections in Nigeria to be conducted on a single day starting in 2027. The initiative, led by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, is part of broader efforts to reform the 1999 Constitution. The aim, according to proponents, is to reduce election costs and eliminate the bandwagon effect that often follows staggered polls.

The proposal has gained strong backing from major opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC). Supporters argue that holding presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections on the same day would streamline logistics and increase efficiency.

Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, described the initiative as a cost-effective and efficient move. He noted that simultaneous elections would allow political parties to consolidate resources and better monitor polling units. Similarly, the Labour Party’s Obiora Ifoh emphasized that a unified election day would reduce logistical expenses and eliminate the influence of early results on voter behavior.

The PDP also expressed conditional support. Timothy Osadolor, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, welcomed the plan but cautioned against manipulation, stressing the need for sincerity and transparency. ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi echoed this sentiment, expressing support only if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can demonstrate improved logistical capacity.

However, not all voices are in agreement. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and several lawmakers have raised logistical and legal concerns. APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Okpara, warned that simultaneous polls could overwhelm INEC’s current infrastructure. While some lawmakers such as Sada Soli of the APC support the amendment, others like Osun’s Oluwole Oke insist that election scheduling should remain INEC’s prerogative. Lagos lawmaker Babajimi Benson cautioned that embedding the proposal in the Constitution could complicate future adjustments.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally rejected the idea. Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that a single-day election would place immense pressure on INEC and create long periods of inactivity between cycles. He maintained that staggered elections keep the electoral body engaged year-round and reduce the risk of institutional failure.

Legal opinions are also divided. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, former Director of Voter Education at INEC, recalled a failed attempt to implement the idea before the 2003 elections, noting that the courts struck it down. Senior lawyers are split, with Lekan Ojo (SAN) supporting the move as a cost-saving measure, albeit with concerns over potential legal disputes. Wale Balogun (SAN) and Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) voiced doubts about INEC’s capacity to manage such a large-scale exercise effectively.

Civil society leaders Auwal Musa Rafsanjani of the Transition Monitoring Group and Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership also endorsed the proposal. They emphasized the potential for greater transparency and lower costs, asserting that only those intent on manipulating the system would resist the change.