Leaders of Nigeria’s main opposition political parties have rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026, warning that it poses a serious threat to democratic credibility and could undermine the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists at a joint world press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Thursday, the opposition coalition said the law, passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, contains provisions they believe could weaken transparency and erode public trust in elections.
The parties criticised the amendment to Section 60(3), which gives presiding officers discretionary powers over the transmission of election results. They argued that the provision could be used to delay or manipulate results at the collation stage. According to the coalition, claims that poor network coverage could justify such discretion are not supported by available evidence. They cited past statements by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission affirming that BVAS technology works offline and that results can be transmitted once connectivity is restored. They also referenced data from the Nigerian Communications Commission indicating wide network coverage across the country.
The opposition also faulted the amendment to Section 84 of the Act, which limits political parties to direct primaries and consensus for selecting candidates. They described the move as an intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties and warned that it could create confusion within opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition further raised concerns over the conduct of the recent Federal Capital Territory local government elections, alleging that vote totals in some areas exceeded the number of accredited voters. They described the poll as a warning sign of possible manipulation in future elections and called for stronger safeguards.In addition, the opposition expressed concern about declining voter turnout, saying low participation reflects growing public distrust in the electoral system.
They warned that voter apathy could weaken the legitimacy of elected leaders if not addressed.They also condemned recent incidents of political violence against opposition members, describing such attacks as dangerous to democratic competition and national stability.On the role of the judiciary, the coalition urged courts to remain independent and impartial, warning against the use of legal processes to validate disputed electoral outcomes.
The opposition leaders said in conclusion that they would explore all constitutional means to challenge the Electoral Act 2026 and called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to protecting democratic values ahead of the 2027 general elections.
