Okonkwo warns APC amendments to the Electoral Act may favor incumbents and weaken opposition, raising concerns over transparency and democratic integrity in Nigeria.
In a recent interview on Arise TV, Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that the APC’s push to amend the Electoral Act 2026 appears designed to limit opposition competitiveness and entrench incumbents, rather than promote free and fair elections.
“These changes are symptomatic of deeper instability within the party. The law should protect democracy, not the interests of one party,” Okonkwo said, emphasizing that the ruling party risks undermining public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Okonkwo also criticized the handling of recent FCT Area Council elections, noting that the polls were conducted under what he described as an “unknown law,” citing delays in the gazetting of the Electoral Act. He further warned that requirements such as digital membership registers and restrictive election timelines could disproportionately disadvantage smaller political parties, weakening their ability to compete effectively.
Opposition leaders have echoed similar concerns, suggesting that electoral law amendments could tilt the playing field in favor of incumbents, while APC officials maintain that the reforms are intended to strengthen internal party democracy, increase transparency, and modernize election administration.
Analysts note that Nigeria is entering a highly contested electoral phase, with scrutiny over legal and procedural changes likely to intensify as political parties gear up for nationwide campaigns. Okonkwo’s comments underscore the rising tension in the country’s political landscape, where questions of fairness, governance, and institutional independence are increasingly in the spotlight.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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