\n\nA coalition of prominent opposition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, Buba Galadima and Rauf Aregbesola has rejected the recently amended Electoral Act 2026, describing it as “anti-democratic” and a threat to Nigeria’s electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group held a press briefing in Abuja where they criticised key provisions of the law, especially clauses they said could weaken transparency in electronic transmission of results and interfere with political party autonomy in candidate selection.
The opposition argued that Section 60(3) of the Act grants undue discretionary power to election officials and limits meaningful real-time transmission of results a reform they say was meant to enhance transparency while Section 84 on primaries oversteps into internal party affairs. They warned that these and other changes could be exploited to manipulate election outcomes and diminish democratic participation, and called for an urgent review of the law to ensure free, fair and credible elections. The group also underscored concerns about low voter turnout in recent polls and urged Nigerians, civil society organisations and the international community to support efforts to defend democratic processes.
In response, spokesmen for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have dismissed the opposition’s complaints as politically motivated, arguing that the amended Act reflects pragmatic adjustments to Nigeria’s electoral framework and that critics are merely seeking excuses for potential defeats. The debate underscores growing polarisation in Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 elections draw closer, with both sides staking out firm positions on the integrity and direction of the country’s democratic processes.
