Dare Babalola
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Thursday 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 move aimed at entrenching a one-party state.
At a press conference, leaders of the two parties pledged to use all lawful means to block the implementation of the Act, emphasising their determination to protect democracy and ensure the integrity of the 2027 elections.
Prominent attendees 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 Ahmed Ajuji.
Other figures included former lawmaker Linda Ukeje, Dino Melaye, Bolaji Abdullahi, Buba Galadima, Lawal Batagarawa, Salihu Lukman, and Yunusa Tanko.
In a communiqué read by the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Ajuji, the opposition leaders stated, “We demand that the National Assembly immediately commence a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, to remove all obnoxious provisions and ensure that the Act reflects only the will and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process in our country. Nothing short of this will be acceptable to Nigerians.”
The briefing also highlighted internal disputes within the opposition as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki withdrew after being denied the opportunity to read the prepared statement.
The parties called on the National Assembly to immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove what they described as “all obnoxious provisions” in the law.
Sources said that efforts by Senator Dino Melaye to mediate between the Turaki faction and other leaders reportedly failed, with organisers citing the faction’s lack of legal recognition.
Out of roughly 20 opposition parties, only the ADC and NNPP were present at the event.
