“Silence of ASUU, civil society on certificate forgery law unacceptable” — ADC

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticized what he described as the lack of response from major stakeholder groups to a proposed legislative move linked to the use of certificate forgery in electoral disputes.

Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Abdullahi said the silence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, student bodies, and civil society organisations leaves opposition parties bearing the burden of pushing back against the proposal.

He described the reported bill before the National Assembly as one that seeks to limit the use of certificate forgery as grounds for challenging election outcomes, warning that it could weaken standards of accountability in public office.

According to him, the development reflects a broader concern about institutional integrity and the direction of governance in the country. He argued that public institutions and advocacy groups have historically played central roles in national debates, and should not remain passive on issues affecting democratic processes.

Abdullahi also linked the proposal to what he called declining trust in governance under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that legislative actions perceived as controversial risk deepening public skepticism.

He urged authorities to allow open competition in the lead-up to the 2027 elections and cautioned against measures he believes could influence electoral credibility. He further referenced ongoing security challenges, including abductions and violent incidents, as indicators of governance shortcomings.

Responding to questions about his political future, Abdullahi dismissed speculation that he may contest the Kwara State governorship election in 2027, stating that his current focus remains on opposition activities. He also indicated he would not align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).