 has welcomed the 10th Senate’s reversal of controversial provisions in the Electoral Amendment){kind=link}
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the 10th Senate’s reversal of controversial provisions in the Electoral Amendment Bill, describing the move as a clear demonstration that Nigerian citizens can compel accountability through sustained and united pressure.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party attributed the Senate’s decision to widespread civic mobilisation, noting that public opposition expressed through protests, advocacy, and online campaigns forced lawmakers to reconsider provisions that had drawn sharp criticism nationwide.
Reacting to the development, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the reversal was more than a routine legislative correction, arguing that it reflected a growing political consciousness among Nigerians determined to defend the credibility of the electoral process.
“This decision shows that Nigerians reclaimed their power and reminded public office holders where sovereignty truly lies,” Abdullahi said.
“When citizens act with unity and clarity of purpose, even entrenched interests are compelled to listen.”
Moreover, the party stressed that the episode underscored the importance of vigilance in a democratic system, particularly in the face of what it described as repeated attempts to weaken due process through legislative manoeuvres.
The ADC further commended Nigerians who participated in the resistance against the bill’s earlier provisions, stating that the combination of street-level engagement and digital advocacy played a decisive role in shaping the outcome.
However, the party cautioned that the Senate’s reversal should not be seen as the end of the struggle. Instead, it urged citizens to maintain pressure until the amended bill completes the legislative process and becomes enforceable law.
“This is only a step forward, not the final destination,” Abdullahi said. “Nigerians must stay alert until the bill is fully passed, assented to by the President, properly gazetted, and implemented without hidden ambiguities.”
Furthermore, the ADC warned against last-minute alterations or technical loopholes that could undermine the spirit of the amendments, noting that such practices have previously weakened electoral reforms.
The party concluded by reiterating that democracy thrives on active participation rather than silence, insisting that continuous civic engagement remains essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“The lesson is simple,” the ADC said. “The price of democracy is eternal vigilance.”