Boycotting the 2027 General Elections Is Not the Answer
Updated on : Sunday, 08 March, 2026
Released on: Friday, 06 March, 2026
Read (300) |
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Tweet #VoteBOOTParty
Calls for political parties to boycott the 2027 general elections in response to the 2026 Electoral Act are misguided. Democracy is strengthened through participation, not withdrawal.
1. Transparency Must Precede Compliance
Before asking why opposition political parties and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) did not protest the 2026 Electoral Act before it was passed into law, an important question must first be addressed: how transparent was the legislative process leading to the passage of the Act?
Many political parties—the most important stakeholders in the democratic process—were not given the opportunity to review the details of the bill before it became law. Critical provisions, including the requirement for political parties to maintain a membership register linked with National Identification Numbers (NIN), were not widely shared with stakeholders early enough to allow adequate preparation.
The current National Assembly is largely dominated by members of the ruling party. It therefore appears that the ruling party may have had the advantage of early knowledge of the provisions of the bill. This could explain why the ruling party has recently embarked on extensive membership mobilisation efforts, collecting detailed member information—including NIN—well ahead of other political parties.
This early start effectively gives the ruling party a compliance advantage under the 2026 Electoral Act, raising concerns about fairness for opposition parties.
In regulatory practice worldwide, new laws that impose major administrative requirements typically provide a reasonable compliance window so that stakeholders can adapt. The concerns expressed by IPAC and other political parties should therefore not be dismissed as complaints from weaker or poorly funded parties, as some ruling party leaders have suggested.
2. Boycott Is Not a Democratic Strategy
Section 77 and other new provisions in the Electoral Act have created additional administrative challenges for many political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections.
However, the suggestion that political parties should boycott the elections in response to these challenges is inconsistent with the principles of democratic participation.
Calling for an election boycott over an Act passed by the National Assembly is comparable to a football team asking for a tournament to be suspended because some players are injured. While the rules may create difficulties, the appropriate response is to adapt, compete, and push for improvements—not withdraw from the democratic process.
Instead of boycott, the BOOT Party calls on the government and electoral authorities to provide institutional resource support and a fair compliance framework that allows all political parties to meet the new regulatory requirements ahead of the 2027 elections.
3. BOOT Party's Longstanding Support for Electoral Reform
Despite the concerns surrounding the legislative process, the passage of the 2026 Electoral Act does not come as a surprise to the BOOT Party.
Many of the provisions in the new law reflect principles and reforms the party has already advocated for since its formation, including stronger transparency measures and even proposals such as making voting compulsory by law.
The BOOT Party has consistently supported reforms that strengthen electoral credibility, accountability, and citizen participation in Nigeria's democratic system.
4. Setting the Record Straight
Recent reports, including one by Vanguard Newspaper, attempted to evaluate which political parties are prepared for the 2027 general elections using criteria that differ from those contained in the 2026 Electoral Act. Contrary to these reports some of these political parties are among those calling for boycott because they are not prepared for some of the requirements of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The BOOT Party wishes to state clearly that it has already met the requirements under Section 77 and other relevant provisions of the new Electoral Act.
The party can provide a verifiable membership register—including members with NIN—to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within hours of notice.
However, the new Act has effectively introduced NIN as the primary identification requirement for party membership, which raises operational challenges for many parties. By implication, the new Act has cancelled voter identification cards issued by INEC, if it cannot even be used for political membership identification.
For registration, intending BOOT Party members are requested to present a valid identification issued by federal agencies, including:
• National Identity Card (NIN)
• Driver's licence
• International passport
• Voter identification card
To address this transition, the party must now deploy additional private resources to mobilise members and upgrade its technology infrastructure to capture updated identification data. Otherwise, members registered previously with other identification different from the National Identity Number (NIN) may have to be temporarily removed from membership registers to comply fully with the new law.
5. Technology-Driven Democracy and Grassroots Organisation
The BOOT Party operates a transparent and modern internal democratic system, conducting its primaries through direct voting using its proprietary Voting App and Election Monitoring System. This platform was successfully deployed during the party's 2023 primaries under the monitoring of INEC, ensuring transparency, participation, and accountability.
Beyond primaries, the party maintains active organisational structures across the country. Regular conventions and congresses are held at ward, local government, and state levels to elect party officials and prepare candidates for elective offices nationwide, including the presidency.
6. Competing Without Public Funding
Emerging political parties in Nigeria face an uneven financial landscape. Dominant parties benefit from significant public resources through their control of federal and state governments, while the BOOT Party operates entirely through private contributions and the voluntary commitment of its members.
Despite these limitations, the party has continued to expand its structures and promote ideological political engagement across the country.
7. A Different Model of Political Organisation
The BOOT Party represents a different model of political organisation—one grounded in ideological clarity, internal democracy, and long-term institutional development. It seeks to build a new generation of political leadership capable of offering credible solutions to Nigeria's challenges.
8. Democracy Must Not Become a Closed Club
Democracy thrives on competition, diversity of ideas, and institutional challenge. When laws or political practices make participation excessively difficult for emerging political parties, democratic space shrinks and political power risks becoming concentrated among a few publicly funded political structures.
Nigeria's democracy must not evolve into a closed political club where only dominant parties can survive.
9. Conclusion: BOOT Party Ready for 2027
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the BOOT Party stands prepared to participate fully at every level of the democratic process. With functioning grassroots structures, transparent technology-driven primaries, and the ability to provide a verifiable membership register to INEC on short notice, the party has demonstrated compliance with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The BOOT Party has also begun preparing credible candidates for elective offices across the federation—from ward and local government positions to state assemblies, the National Assembly, governorships, and the presidency.
The BOOT Party therefore approaches the 2027 elections not only as a compliant political organisation but as a forward-looking political movement committed to offering Nigerians credible leadership, fresh ideas, and a renewed democratic vision.
However, resolving the concerns raised by the new Electoral Act does not require a boycott of the democratic process. Instead, the BOOT Party recommends the following practical steps to ensure fairness and effective compliance:
•i.) Extend compliance windows to allow political parties and other stakeholders adequate time to meet the new legal requirements.
•ii.) Broaden acceptable identification requirements so that NIN is not the sole means of identification, but can be complemented by other federal government-issued identification such as driver’s licences, international passports, voter identification cards, and national identity cards.
•iii.) Ensure transparency in electoral legislation, with meaningful consultation and participation of all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, during the legislative process.
•iv.) Encourage political parties to strengthen their internal structures and organisational capacity in preparation for the new regulatory environment.
•v.) Provide institutional and resource support to political parties to help them comply with new regulatory requirements and strengthen democratic participation.
Yours sincerely,
Sonny Adenuga
National Chairman
Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party
@SonnyAdenuga
Signed
BOOT Party! @TheBOOTParty
Because Of Our Tomorrow
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
Vote in BOOT Party Election Primaries
Donate Because Nigeria Matters
Boycotting the 2027 General Elections Is Not the Answer
Updated on : Sunday, 08 March, 2026
Released on: Friday, 06 March, 2026
Read (300) |
Join BOOT Party
Tweet #VoteBOOTParty
Calls for political parties to boycott the 2027 general elections in response to the 2026 Electoral Act are misguided. Democracy is strengthened through participation, not withdrawal.
1. Transparency Must Precede Compliance
Before asking why opposition political parties and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) did not protest the 2026 Electoral Act before it was passed into law, an important question must first be addressed: how transparent was the legislative process leading to the passage of the Act?
Many political parties—the most important stakeholders in the democratic process—were not given the opportunity to review the details of the bill before it became law. Critical provisions, including the requirement for political parties to maintain a membership register linked with National Identification Numbers (NIN), were not widely shared with stakeholders early enough to allow adequate preparation.
The current National Assembly is largely dominated by members of the ruling party. It therefore appears that the ruling party may have had the advantage of early knowledge of the provisions of the bill. This could explain why the ruling party has recently embarked on extensive membership mobilisation efforts, collecting detailed member information—including NIN—well ahead of other political parties.
This early start effectively gives the ruling party a compliance advantage under the 2026 Electoral Act, raising concerns about fairness for opposition parties.
In regulatory practice worldwide, new laws that impose major administrative requirements typically provide a reasonable compliance window so that stakeholders can adapt. The concerns expressed by IPAC and other political parties should therefore not be dismissed as complaints from weaker or poorly funded parties, as some ruling party leaders have suggested.
2. Boycott Is Not a Democratic Strategy
Section 77 and other new provisions in the Electoral Act have created additional administrative challenges for many political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections.
However, the suggestion that political parties should boycott the elections in response to these challenges is inconsistent with the principles of democratic participation.
Calling for an election boycott over an Act passed by the National Assembly is comparable to a football team asking for a tournament to be suspended because some players are injured. While the rules may create difficulties, the appropriate response is to adapt, compete, and push for improvements—not withdraw from the democratic process.
Instead of boycott, the BOOT Party calls on the government and electoral authorities to provide institutional resource support and a fair compliance framework that allows all political parties to meet the new regulatory requirements ahead of the 2027 elections.
3. BOOT Party's Longstanding Support for Electoral Reform
Despite the concerns surrounding the legislative process, the passage of the 2026 Electoral Act does not come as a surprise to the BOOT Party.
Many of the provisions in the new law reflect principles and reforms the party has already advocated for since its formation, including stronger transparency measures and even proposals such as making voting compulsory by law.
The BOOT Party has consistently supported reforms that strengthen electoral credibility, accountability, and citizen participation in Nigeria's democratic system.
4. Setting the Record Straight
Recent reports, including one by Vanguard Newspaper, attempted to evaluate which political parties are prepared for the 2027 general elections using criteria that differ from those contained in the 2026 Electoral Act. Contrary to these reports some of these political parties are among those calling for boycott because they are not prepared for some of the requirements of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The BOOT Party wishes to state clearly that it has already met the requirements under Section 77 and other relevant provisions of the new Electoral Act.
The party can provide a verifiable membership register—including members with NIN—to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within hours of notice.
However, the new Act has effectively introduced NIN as the primary identification requirement for party membership, which raises operational challenges for many parties. By implication, the new Act has cancelled voter identification cards issued by INEC, if it cannot even be used for political membership identification.
For registration, intending BOOT Party members are requested to present a valid identification issued by federal agencies, including:
• National Identity Card (NIN)
• Driver's licence
• International passport
• Voter identification card
To address this transition, the party must now deploy additional private resources to mobilise members and upgrade its technology infrastructure to capture updated identification data. Otherwise, members registered previously with other identification different from the National Identity Number (NIN) may have to be temporarily removed from membership registers to comply fully with the new law.
5. Technology-Driven Democracy and Grassroots Organisation
The BOOT Party operates a transparent and modern internal democratic system, conducting its primaries through direct voting using its proprietary Voting App and Election Monitoring System. This platform was successfully deployed during the party's 2023 primaries under the monitoring of INEC, ensuring transparency, participation, and accountability.
Beyond primaries, the party maintains active organisational structures across the country. Regular conventions and congresses are held at ward, local government, and state levels to elect party officials and prepare candidates for elective offices nationwide, including the presidency.
6. Competing Without Public Funding
Emerging political parties in Nigeria face an uneven financial landscape. Dominant parties benefit from significant public resources through their control of federal and state governments, while the BOOT Party operates entirely through private contributions and the voluntary commitment of its members.
Despite these limitations, the party has continued to expand its structures and promote ideological political engagement across the country.
7. A Different Model of Political Organisation
The BOOT Party represents a different model of political organisation—one grounded in ideological clarity, internal democracy, and long-term institutional development. It seeks to build a new generation of political leadership capable of offering credible solutions to Nigeria's challenges.
8. Democracy Must Not Become a Closed Club
Democracy thrives on competition, diversity of ideas, and institutional challenge. When laws or political practices make participation excessively difficult for emerging political parties, democratic space shrinks and political power risks becoming concentrated among a few publicly funded political structures.
Nigeria's democracy must not evolve into a closed political club where only dominant parties can survive.
9. Conclusion: BOOT Party Ready for 2027
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the BOOT Party stands prepared to participate fully at every level of the democratic process. With functioning grassroots structures, transparent technology-driven primaries, and the ability to provide a verifiable membership register to INEC on short notice, the party has demonstrated compliance with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The BOOT Party has also begun preparing credible candidates for elective offices across the federation—from ward and local government positions to state assemblies, the National Assembly, governorships, and the presidency.
The BOOT Party therefore approaches the 2027 elections not only as a compliant political organisation but as a forward-looking political movement committed to offering Nigerians credible leadership, fresh ideas, and a renewed democratic vision.
However, resolving the concerns raised by the new Electoral Act does not require a boycott of the democratic process. Instead, the BOOT Party recommends the following practical steps to ensure fairness and effective compliance:
•i.) Extend compliance windows to allow political parties and other stakeholders adequate time to meet the new legal requirements.
•ii.) Broaden acceptable identification requirements so that NIN is not the sole means of identification, but can be complemented by other federal government-issued identification such as driver’s licences, international passports, voter identification cards, and national identity cards.
•iii.) Ensure transparency in electoral legislation, with meaningful consultation and participation of all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, during the legislative process.
•iv.) Encourage political parties to strengthen their internal structures and organisational capacity in preparation for the new regulatory environment.
•v.) Provide institutional and resource support to political parties to help them comply with new regulatory requirements and strengthen democratic participation.
Yours sincerely,
Sonny Adenuga
National Chairman
Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party
@SonnyAdenuga
Signed
BOOT Party! @TheBOOTParty
Because Of Our Tomorrow
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
Vote in BOOT Party Election Primaries
Donate Because Nigeria Matters
