The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has 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 briefing held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja today 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 count in the 2027 elections.
Prominent opposition leaders who were present at the meeting 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 Ajuji Ahmed. Other figures included former lawmaker Linda Ukeje, Dino Melaye, Bolaji Abdullahi, Buba Galadima, Lawal Batagarawa, Salihu Lukman, and Yunusa Tanko.
Out of roughly 20 opposition parties, only the ADC and NNPP were present at the event, underscoring limited participation in the coordinated rejection of the new Electoral Act.
Addressing the press, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to present President Tinubu as the only serious presidential candidate in 2027.
He said statistics available to them show that election results can be transmitted from every polling unit and wondered why the manual proviso should be included in the act.
He mentioned that they were surprised at the speed that the President signed the act, while he did not do that with other acts.
He said the just concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) election shows why the APC was in haste to signed the Electoral Act.
The opposition leaders also rejected the FCT election, saying that the FCT Area Council Poll was the litmus test, which the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman had failed.