African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have rejected the Electoral Act 2026, recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as anti‑democratic and a tool to entrench a one‑party state.
At a joint press briefing held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Thursday, February 26, leaders of the two parties vowed to use all constitutional means to resist the implementation of the Act, stressing their commitment to safeguarding democracy and ensuring that the votes of Nigerians truly count in the 2027 general elections.
Prominent opposition figures at the press briefing included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, ADC National Chairman David Mark, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and NNPP National Chairman Ajuri (Ajuji) Ahmed. Others present were former lawmaker Linda Ukeje, Dino Melaye, Bolaji Abdullahi, Buba Galadima, Lawal Batagarawa, Salihu Lukman, and Yunusa Tanko.
Of roughly 20 opposition parties in Nigeria, only ADC and NNPP showed up for the event, highlighting the limited breadth of coordination in the joint rejection of the new law.
Speaking for the NNPP, Ajuri Ahmed accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the Electoral Act to position President Tinubu as the only serious presidential contender in 2027. He said available statistics show that election results can be transmitted electronically from every polling unit, and questioned why a manual proviso was retained in the Act.
He expressed surprise at the speed with which the President signed the Electoral Act, compared with delays in assenting to other bills, and suggested that the just‑concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election showed the urgency behind the APC’s move.
The opposition leaders also rejected the FCT election, calling the Area Council poll a litmus test that the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman has failed.
