Leaders of opposition political parties in Nigeria have kicked against the amended Electoral Act 2026 recently assented to 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, describing it as flawed.
Speaking at a press briefing, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is strategising to position President Tinubu as the sole credible presidential contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that data at their disposal indicates that results can be electronically transmitted from all polling units nationwide, questioning the rationale behind retaining a manual transmission provision in the new law.
Ahmed further expressed shock at the swiftness with which the President approved the bill, noting that similar urgency was not shown in signing other pieces of legislation.
According to him, the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) election demonstrates why the APC hurriedly pushed for the signing of the Electoral Act.
The coalition of opposition leaders also dismissed the outcome of the FCT Area Council election, arguing that it served as a crucial test for the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, which they believe he failed.
