Leaders of opposition political parties have criticised the recently amended Electoral Act 2026 signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing both its content and passage as problematic ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those raising concerns was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other opposition figures who argued that the process through which the National Assembly passed the legislation lacked sufficient transparency and consultation.
Speaking at a press briefing, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People’s Party alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was positioning the president as the sole viable contender for the next presidential race.
Ahmed maintained that available data suggests election results can be electronically transmitted from polling units nationwide, questioning why the amended law retains provisions for manual transmission. He also expressed concern over the speed with which the president assented to the bill, noting that other legislation had not received similar urgency.
The opposition coalition further pointed to the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council election, arguing that the poll highlighted weaknesses in the electoral framework and served as an early test for the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which they claimed fell short of expectations.
The group called for broader stakeholder engagement and possible revisions to the law, warning that unresolved concerns could affect public confidence in the electoral process ahead of 2027.