A coalition of senior opposition figures on Thursday held a closed-door meeting in Abuja to review the far-reaching amendments introduced in the country’s new Electoral Act.
Among those present were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Senate President David Mark; and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The meeting, which took place at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, also drew the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, as well as a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima.
Other political actors at the venue included ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, Senator Dino Melaye, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke.
The gathering comes days after President Bola Tinubu signed the amended Electoral Act into law on February 18, following its passage by the National Assembly.
A key provision of the previous Electoral Act 2022 allowed political parties to nominate candidates through three methods, direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted through delegates, or consensus arrangements. However, the newly enacted 2026 law eliminates the indirect primary option, limiting parties to direct primaries and consensus.
The amendments also revise timelines for party primaries and campaign periods. Furthermore, funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before elections, instead of the 12 months stipulated under the previous law.
The opposition leaders are expected to issue a communiqué outlining their concerns and possible next steps as political consultations intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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