Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday said opposition parties have rejected the amended 2026 Electoral Act, describing it as anti-democratic and a threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking after a joint press conference held in Abuja, Abubakar said leaders of major opposition parties unanimously opposed the law recently signed by President Bola Tinubu under the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the parties called for the Act to be reenacted to reflect the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.
Abubakar expressed agreement with Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, National Chairman of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), who articulated the opposition’s concerns, particularly with Section 60(3) of the amended law.
RELATED NEWS:
- FCT Council Polls: INEC Denies Result Manipulation, Cites Clerical Error
- Atiku Abubakar Condemns Arrest of Edo Protesters, Urges Release of Students
- Atiku Abubakar Quits PDP, Blames ‘Irreconcilable Differences’
The section allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resort to manual transmission of election results, rather than mandatory real-time electronic transmission to the IReV portal, citing network failure.
According to Abubakar, this provision is unjustifiable in a country with over 90 percent internet coverage and undermines transparency in elections.
He also said opposition leaders jointly rejected Section 84(2) of the Act, which imposes either direct or consensus modes of primary elections on political parties.
He further described the amended Electoral Act as offensive and a deliberate attempt by the APC-led National Assembly to weaken the transparency and sanctity of Nigeria’s elections.
Abubakar said he used the occasion to call on all opposition political parties to unite in what he described as a mission to rescue Nigeria’s democracy, urging collective resistance against what he termed plans to rig the 2027 general elections.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
