28/02/2026
Opposition parties have strongly rejected the 2026 Electoral Act, urging the National Assembly to begin fresh amendments to remove what they call “obnoxious provisions.” At a press briefing in Abuja, leaders including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola argued the law undermines transparency. Their main concern is Section 60(3), which permits manual transmission of results if electronic systems fail. They insist Nigeria’s infrastructure can support full electronic transmission and warn that manual fallback opens doors for manipulation. They also oppose Section 84, which restricts parties to direct primaries and consensus, calling it unconstitutional interference in party affairs.
The coalition cited alleged irregularities in recent FCT local elections as proof of systemic compromise, describing the polls as fraudulent. They condemned violence against opposition figures, warning it threatens democratic stability. In their communiqué, they pledged to use every constitutional means to challenge the Act and safeguard voters’ rights, urging civil society and citizens to join the fight.
President Bola Tinubu, who signed the Act on February 18, 2026, defended the manual transmission clause, arguing Nigeria isn’t fully ready for real-time electronic reporting and warning of risks like hacking or technical glitches. The law also introduced reforms such as statutory recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and revised election timelines.
Debate over the Act was heated in the National Assembly. In the Senate, opposition lawmakers tried to remove the manual transmission proviso but were outvoted 55–15. In the House, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favor of rescinding compulsory electronic transmission despite protests. Civil society groups under the “Occupy NASS” campaign continue to demand real-time transmission to curb manipulation.
The controversy highlights deep divisions over Nigeria’s electoral future. While government insists the Act strengthens democracy, opposition leaders argue it weakens transparency and could erode public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
