Why Atiku, Obi, Amaechi and Others Are Rejecting the Amended Electoral Act 2026 | READ DETAILS

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February 26, 2026 | All Facts Newspaper

A fresh political storm is brewing in Nigeria as leading opposition figures - including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party's Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi - have openly rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026 recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The coalition of opposition leaders described the legislative process that produced the amendment as flawed and politically motivated, raising concerns about its implications for the 2027 general elections.

At a press briefing, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People's Party alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress is positioning President Tinubu as the sole viable contender ahead of 2027 through strategic legislative adjustments.

According to him, opposition parties possess data indicating that electronic transmission of results from all polling units nationwide is technically possible. He questioned why the new amendment retains provisions for manual transmission of results, arguing that such inclusion could undermine transparency.

Ahmed also expressed surprise at the speed with which the President assented to the bill, noting that other pending legislation did not receive similar urgency.

The opposition coalition pointed to the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory Area Council election as a case study. They argued that the poll exposed weaknesses in the implementation of electoral reforms and served as a critical test for the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to the group, the election outcome further justified their concerns about the direction of electoral reforms under the current administration.

They dismissed the FCT election results and maintained that credible elections require strict reliance on electronic transmission systems without ambiguity.

With the 2027 elections still months away, political analysts say the debate over the amended Electoral Act signals the early onset of intense electoral maneuvering.

The opposition insists that electoral laws must inspire public confidence and guarantee a level playing field for all political actors. They argue that any ambiguity in result transmission provisions could generate disputes and erode trust in the process.

Meanwhile, the ruling party has yet to issue a detailed response to the coalition's claims.

As Nigeria's political landscape shifts toward 2027, the Electoral Act amendment may become one of the defining battlegrounds shaping the next general election.