Leaders of Nigeria’s major opposition parties have rejected the recently amended Electoral Act 2026, calling on the National Assembly to undertake an immediate review to reflect the aspirations of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the opposition described the new Act as “anti-democratic” and potentially harmful to electoral transparency and the sanctity of the vote.
Dr. Ahmed Ajuji, National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), who spoke on behalf of all participating parties, expressed deep concerns over several provisions in the law signed by President Bola Tinubu on February 18. He said the legislation, if implemented, could undermine free and fair elections and consolidate a one-party dominance.
One key area of contention, according to Ajuji, is Section 60(3), which grants presiding officers broad discretion over the electronic transmission of polling unit results. The NNPP leader argued that the section contradicts the objective of electronic transmission, giving opportunities for manipulation under the guise of network failures.
He cited Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data showing that over 95 percent of the country is covered by 2G networks, and noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has historically transmitted results successfully even in offline mode, according to former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu.
Ajuji also opposed Section 84, which limits political parties to direct primaries and consensus for candidate selection. He argued that restricting internal party processes is an overreach that threatens party autonomy and could destabilize opposition ranks ahead of elections. He emphasized that indirect primaries have historically ensured transparent and orderly candidate selection.