2027: “Tinubu, APC in trouble” as INEC pressures National Assembly to act on Electoral Law Reforms Bill

In the meantime, an anonymous respondent in Abuja has shared his opinion about the development saying, “What this means is that Tinubu and his APC are in trouble because any attempt by INEC to do what is right with that coming 2027 election will mean their failure and electoral lose. This is because it is only a government that works for the people that can win in a free, fair, transparent, accountable and credible election. Tinubu’s APC government is not found here.”

Information reaching us at The DEFENDER says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) may have been plunged into a level of discomfort with yet another affirmative development linked with Chairman of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

The development, it was gathered, is the INEC boss putting the National Assembly under pressure to come out of its delay tactics and act positively on the Electoral Law Reforms Bill before it for desirable 2027 elections that will be free, fair, credible and acceptable to the country and world in general.

This was coming following reported directive by President Tinubu for the INEC chairman to proceed on compulsory leave, which many believe is because Yakubu recognized the Brigadier General David Mark/Rauf Aregbesola new leadership of the opposition coalition’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) and shortlisted the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) among 13 others for registration.

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a frontline leader of the coalition, had put INEC in tight conner when he said on a national television that the Tinubu-led Federal Government was not going to register ADA in order to weaken credible opposition as it wanted a lone contest to be re-elected in 2027.

In what appears to be a bid to redeem his image from what it currently is in the eyes of the world, the INEC leader seems to be struggling hard to rather stand on the side of the Constitution and strengthening institution than allow a transient individual in power destroy him and his constitutionally established Commission for selfish and non-national interest.

Professor Yakubu has, therefore, called on the National Assembly to expedite action on review and passage of the electoral reforms, warning that uncertainty over the legal framework could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general election.

Yakubu made the appeal on Thursday October 2 , 2025 while receiving the European Union EU Election Observation Follow-up Mission led by Mr. Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament who also headed the EU Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 general election.

According to the INEC Chairman, many of the EU’s recommendations require legislative amendments, making early action by the National Assembly crucial.

“An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections. Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as election draws nearer,” Yakubu said.

He noted that of the 23 recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission in 2023, only eight directly concern INEC, with one classified as priority.

The remaining 15, including five priority recommendations, fall under the responsibilities of the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society groups, media, and professional bodies.

Yakubu said INEC has already taken administrative steps to implement its share of the recommendations and is working with relevant stakeholders on cross-cutting issues while awaiting legislative action.

He also disclosed that INEC’s post-election review of the 2023 polls produced 142 recommendations for electoral reform, complementing observer reports.

The INEC boss reassured the EU of Nigeria’s continued commitment to international election observation, announcing that invitations will soon be extended to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 polls.

“We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections and electoral activities,” he said.

On his part, EU Mission leader Barry Andrews praised INEC for engaging with stakeholders and underscored the importance of sustained reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

Yakubu also commended the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, pledging continued partnership to consolidate electoral integrity.

In the meantime, an anonymous respondent in Abuja has shared his opinion about the development saying, “What this means is that Tinubu and his APC are in trouble because any attempt by INEC to do what is right with that coming 2027 election will mean their failure and electoral lose. This is because it is only a government that works for the people that can win in a free, fair, transparent, accountable and credible election. Tinubu’s APC government is not found here.”