The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, describing it as anti-democratic and alleging that it is designed to entrench a one-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The parties made their position known during a joint press briefing held on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, shortly after the legislation was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Leaders of both opposition parties vowed to resist the implementation of the Act through constitutional means, insisting that the new law undermines electoral transparency and could weaken Nigeria’s democratic process. They maintained that safeguarding credible elections remains critical to ensuring that Nigerians’ votes count in the 2027 polls.
Prominent opposition figures present at the meeting included former Senate President David Mark; ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke; and NNPP National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed.
Other political stakeholders in attendance were Dino Melaye, Bolaji Abdullahi, Buba Galadima, Lawal Batagarawa, Salihu Lukman and Yunusa Tanko, among others.
Despite invitations reportedly extended to about 20 opposition parties, only the ADC and NNPP participated in the coordinated rejection of the Electoral Act.
Addressing journalists, NNPP National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to position President Tinubu as the sole viable presidential candidate in the 2027 election through provisions contained in the new law.
Ahmed questioned the inclusion of manual transmission of election results in the Act, arguing that available data shows electronic transmission from polling units across the country is feasible. He also expressed concern over what he described as the speed with which the President assented to the legislation compared to other pending bills.
The opposition leaders further cited the recently conducted Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory as evidence of alleged shortcomings in the electoral process, describing the polls as a “litmus test” which they claimed the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed.
They reiterated their commitment to pursuing legal and democratic avenues to challenge both the Electoral Act and the outcome of the FCT Area Council elections, warning that credible electoral reforms are essential to maintaining public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.