Leading opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are currently meeting in Abuja to present their stance on the Electoral Act.
The meeting is taking place at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where the opposition leaders are expected to address journalists on contentious provisions of the law and other pressing national issues.
Also in attendance are former Senate President David Mark; New Nigeria Peoples Party chieftain Buba Galadima; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola.
Other stakeholders present include the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; former senator Dino Melaye; former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu; and former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, among others.
Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were allowed to nominate candidates through direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or by consensus arrangements.
However, the amended Electoral Act 2026, recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, limits parties to direct primaries and consensus options. The law also shortens campaign timelines and requires funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be released six months before elections, instead of the previous 12-month period.
The opposition leaders are expected to formally present their position on the new provisions and outline their concerns during the briefing.
