Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other opposition leaders meet at Transcorp Abuja to address contentious provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act
Leading opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, gathered at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, to present their stance on the recently passed 2026 Electoral Act.
Also read:Â Tinubu Order Halts NNPC Revenue Deductions Worth N2.1tn
Other attendees included former Senate President David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State Governor, Buba Galadima, chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress.
The meeting, held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, also drew Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary; Senator Dino Melaye; former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu; and ex-Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, among others.
The opposition leaders are expected to address journalists on contentious provisions of the Electoral Act, including changes in candidate nomination methods, shortened campaign periods, and revised funding timelines for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the 2022 Electoral Act, parties could nominate candidates through direct primaries, indirect primaries by delegates, or by consensus.
The new 2026 law now limits parties to only direct primaries or consensus arrangements, in addition to shortening campaign periods and primaries timelines.
Funding for INEC will now be released six months before elections instead of 12 months.
The meeting underscores the opposition’s concern over the impact of these provisions on internal party democracy and election preparedness.
Also read:Â Tinubu Order Halts NNPC Revenue Deductions Worth N2.1tn
Further statements from the leaders are awaited.
