Opposition leaders across Nigeria have rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026 recently signed into law by Bola Tinubu, describing parts of it as “obnoxious” and calling for an urgent review to safeguard the integrity of future elections.
The opposition bloc, led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, criticised the manner in which the National Assembly passed the amendment, alleging that key stakeholders were not adequately consulted before the legislation was approved and transmitted for presidential assent.
Speaking during a joint press briefing, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to tilt the political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He claimed the party’s strategy is aimed at presenting President Tinubu as the only viable candidate.
Ahmed questioned why the amended law retained provisions for manual transmission of results when available statistics, according to the opposition, show that electronic transmission is possible from polling units nationwide. He argued that including a manual option could open the door to manipulation and reduce public confidence in the electoral process.
He also expressed surprise at what he described as the President’s swift assent to the Electoral Act, noting that other pending bills had not received similar urgency. According to him, the speed of the signing has further fueled suspicion among opposition parties about the intent behind the amendment.
The coalition cited the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory Area Council election as a practical example of their concerns. They rejected the outcome of the poll, describing it as a litmus test that the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed.
Opposition leaders maintained that unless the contentious provisions are removed, public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system could erode ahead of the 2027 general elections. They called on the National Assembly to reopen discussions on the amendment and ensure that the law reflects global best practices for free, fair, and transparent elections.
