Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other key political leaders are rallying against the Electoral Act 2026, demanding urgent amendments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This significant gathering of opposition figures took place today, Thursday, in Abuja. Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 2023, along with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. These leaders, alongside others, collectively demanded an immediate amendment of the recently signed Electoral Act 2026, issuing a stern warning that some of its provisions could severely undermine the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The leaders, primarily drawn from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) addressed a crowded press conference held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja. Their unified message underscored a deep concern about the potential impact of the new law on democratic processes and electoral fairness.
During the briefing, they collectively called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate a fresh amendment process. Their objective is to remove what they described as “obnoxious and anti-democratic provisions” embedded within the new electoral legislation. This strong language signals their profound dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the law, particularly those that have previously sparked controversy, such as the optional electronic transmission of results.
Other prominent figures who lent their weight to this call for amendment included: ADC National Chairman David Mark; ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke; NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima; ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu. The presence of such a diverse and influential group of politicians from various parties highlights a broad consensus among the opposition regarding the perceived flaws of the Electoral Act 2026.
Their unified stance suggests a strategic effort to consolidate opposition voices and pressure the government and the National Assembly to revisit the controversial aspects of the law. The urgency of their demand reflects a concern that without these amendments, the 2027 elections could be marred by irregularities or perceived unfairness, potentially eroding public trust in the democratic process.
The specific "obnoxious and anti democratic provisions" they referred to are widely understood to include Clause 60 of the Act, which makes electronic transmission of results optional. This particular clause had previously drawn protests and strong opposition from civil society organizations and various stakeholders, who argue that mandatory electronic transmission is crucial for enhancing transparency and reducing opportunities for manipulation.
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, the calls from these political heavyweights signal an intensifying political battleground, where electoral reforms will undoubtedly play a central role. The government and the National Assembly will now face renewed pressure to address these concerns and potentially reconsider the controversial clauses of the Electoral Act 2026.
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