Nigeria’s leading opposition political parties have openly rejected the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, demanding immediate legislative action to revise sections they believe could undermine democratic values and electoral integrity.
The declaration was made on Thursday during a joint press briefing in Abuja, where opposition leaders gathered to express their collective dissatisfaction with the new law. The meeting, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, was themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy.”
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ahmed Ajuji, said the amended law contains provisions that weaken transparency, limit political freedoms, and reduce public confidence in the electoral system. He stressed that the Act, in its current form, does not reflect the true aspirations of Nigerians.
According to the coalition, the National Assembly must immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove clauses described as harmful to free, fair, and credible elections. The leaders insisted that Nigerians deserve an electoral framework that promotes fairness, accountability, and public trust.
Several prominent political figures attended the briefing, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola. Senior members of the NNPP, including Buba Galadima, were also present.
The opposition raised serious concerns about the amendment to Section 60(3), which permits manual transmission of election results in cases of technical challenges. They argued that this provision weakens the credibility of electronic transmission and opens room for interference and result manipulation.
They maintained that Nigeria now possesses the technological capacity to conduct nationwide electronic transmission of results, adding that any fallback to manual processes risks reversing years of electoral reform progress.
The coalition also rejected the revision of Section 84, which limits political parties to direct primaries and consensus arrangements for candidate selection. They described the change as an unlawful intrusion into internal party operations and insisted that indirect primaries remain a democratic and constitutional option.
Citing recent local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the opposition claimed that irregularities observed during the polls further highlight the dangers of weakening electoral safeguards. They warned that if urgent corrections are not made, public confidence in the 2027 general elections could be severely damaged.
The leaders also condemned reported attacks against members of the African Democratic Congress in Edo State, describing the incidents as troubling and unacceptable in a democratic society. They warned that political intimidation and violence could destabilise the nation if not decisively addressed.
In a joint statement, the opposition parties pledged to explore all lawful and constitutional options to challenge the Electoral Act 2026 and ensure that Nigerians’ voting rights are protected. They called on civil society organisations, professional groups, and citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening democracy.
President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act Amendment 2026 into law on February 18 after its passage by the National Assembly. The law introduced key reforms, including the formal recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and adjustments to election schedules.
Despite these changes, critics argue that allowing manual result transmission undermines transparency and accountability. While the presidency has defended the clause on grounds of technical reliability and cybersecurity concerns, opposition leaders insist that electronic transmission remains the safest method for credible elections.
The controversy surrounding the law has intensified political debate nationwide and is expected to shape electoral discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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