Leaders of opposition political parties in Nigeria have rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026 recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other major party leaders, criticised the process through which the National Assembly passed the legislation. They described the process as flawed and lacking proper consultation.
Speaking at a press briefing, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to position President Tinubu as the only credible presidential contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ahmed stated that information available to the opposition indicates that election results can be electronically transmitted from all polling units across the country. He questioned why the new law still retains a provision for manual transmission of results.
He also expressed surprise at the speed with which the President approved the bill, noting that similar urgency had not been shown in signing other pieces of legislation.
According to him, the recently conducted Federal Capital Territory election explains why the APC hurriedly ensured the signing of the Electoral Act.
The coalition of opposition leaders further rejected the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council election. They argued that the poll served as a major test for the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, in their view, he failed.
