Nigeria’s leading opposition figures on Thursday launched a coordinated political offensive against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress-led government, rejecting the newly amended Electoral Act 2026 and warning it could spark a democratic crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, which brings together some of the country’s most prominent opposition voices, described the dispute as a critical test of Nigeria’s electoral credibility. It called for urgent amendments to the law and urged citizens, civil society groups and the international community to pay close attention to what it termed a growing threat to democratic rule.
The position was contained in a statement read by Ajuji Ahmed, National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and endorsed at the world press conference by Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senator David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Alhaji Ahmad Ajuji, National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the ADC; former Anambra governor, Peter Obi; former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi; former Cross River governor, Liyel Imoke; Senator Ireti Kingibe; Senator Dino Melaye; Secretary of the NNPP Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima; amongst other opposition figures who were physically present.
........Alarm Over Electoral Law
Reading the coalition’s position, Ahmed said the opposition leaders came together with what he described as a shared resolve to rescue Nigeria’s democracy and prevent the nation from sliding into what they warned could be 'failure and collapse.'
“We have met and decided to collectively articulate our position against the offensive and anti-democratic Electoral Act, 2026… as well as other related matters that equally portends danger to our democracy.
“We all saw as Nigerians across various divides expressed their discontent… But we also saw how the peaceful citizens were met with violent repression and disdain by a government that has effectively become deaf, desperate and dictatorial,” Ahmed read.
The opposition maintained that several provisions in the amended law, especially the changes affecting electronic transmission of results, could weaken the transparency and credibility of future elections.
“We therefore state unequivocally that the new Electoral Act is anti-democratic, and its implementation will undermine electoral transparency and sanctity of the ballot which are fundamental to free, fair and credible elections,” the opposition leaders declared.
........Flashpoint: Section 60(3)
At the centre of the dispute is the controversial proviso in Section 60(3), which the opposition says gives too much discretion to presiding officers and weakens the framework for electronic transmission of results.
“This negation is unambiguously intended to provide a blank check to those who seek to manipulate election results by delaying the electronic transmission of results from the polling units to the IREV on the pretext of network failure,” the coalition said.
The group dismissed the network failure argument, pointing to earlier public assurances by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The immediate past INEC Chairman stated on record that the BVAS equipment, which operates offline, had worked with over 90% success rate across the nation.
“Denying mandatory real-time transmission of election results from the polling units on the basis of lack of communication network is not supported by evidence,” Ajuji
The opposition also cited telecommunications data to back its claim.
“Millions of our people who transact business daily with various financial platforms even from the remotest parts of the country know that the no-network argument is fraudulent,” the coalition said.
........Primaries Clause Sparks Constitutional Row
Beyond the issue of result transmission, the coalition also strongly objected to amendments to Section 84 that restrict political parties to either direct primaries or consensus.
Opposition leaders described the change as an unconstitutional intrusion into party autonomy and internal democracy.
“There is nothing undemocratic about indirect primaries, which create an electoral college for the selection of candidates in an objective, transparent and orderly manner,” the coalition said.
They warned that the amendment could destabilise opposition parties ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“There can only be one reason for this particular amendment: to create chaos and disorder in the ranks of opposition political parties in the hope that they would not be able to present a candidate,” the coalition declared.
The leaders also vowed to challenge the provision through constitutional means.
“In the coming days, we shall explore every constitutional means to cure this indirect hijack of the independence of political parties,” Ajuji added.
......FCT Poll Cited as ‘Test-Run’
The opposition also cited the recent Federal Capital Territory local government elections as what it described as practical evidence of its concerns about the amended law.
“Perhaps, the most important lesson that the opposition learnt from the FCT election is that President Tinubu and his APC do not care about free and fair election,” they said.
The coalition alleged irregularities in the vote figures.
“We saw it clearly in the FCT election where votes claimed by the APC outstrips the total number of accredited voters by several folds. We in the opposition therefore condemn that election as disgustingly fraudulent,” they added.
The group said the experience had only strengthened its resolve to mobilise voters and party agents ahead of future polls.
.....Voter Apathy Raises Legitimacy Questions
Opposition leaders also raised alarm over what they described as historically low voter turnout in the FCT polls, warning that declining participation could weaken democratic legitimacy.
“Perhaps, the most important highlight of the FCT election is the historic low voter turnout… This disturbing trend signifies gradual erosion of the people’s confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. Nigerians are telling themselves that their votes no longer count,” they added.
The coalition maintained that rebuilding public trust would require clear, demonstrable commitment to credible elections and improved governance outcomes.
....Attack on ADC Leaders Condemned
A major highlight of the briefing was the coalition’s condemnation of the reported assault on members of the African Democratic Congress in Edo State.
“The recent assault on leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State highlights the growing acts of political violence and intolerance in our country in recent times,” they said.
The opposition described the incident as part of what it sees as a wider pattern of political intimidation.
“This culture of intolerance, thuggery, and violence against opposition party leaders therefore poses a potent danger to democracy and national stability. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not on thuggery,” the coalition warned.
....Citizens Must Act, says Galadima
Speaking separately, Buba Galadima widened the appeal to ordinary Nigerians, stressing that defending democracy should not be left to politicians alone.
“I don’t think this should be left only to politicians. It is the duty of everybody in Nigeria, everybody, to protect this democracy,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal involvement, he added: “I’m 78, as I stand before you here. I’m not supposed to be in the trenches again; I should be resting. And yet some of us found it very expedient to still lead the way.”
Galadima also cautioned citizens against political complacency.
“If we say no, they will not be able to do this. They cannot drive us,” he said.
.....Opposition Must Fix Itself - Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi struck a reflective tone, arguing that opposition parties must also confront their own internal weaknesses.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not our problem, the opposition is the problem of the opposition. His (Tinubu's) strategy is simple; his pattern is simple. He tries something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” the former Rivers governor said.
Amaechi urged stronger coordination and discipline among opposition actors ahead of future contests.
......‘There Is No Governance In Nigeria Today - Obi’
Peter Obi painted a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic and security conditions.
“The government we have today and that continues is the worst ever in our country. There is no governance in Nigeria. Insecurity, killings and abductions are worse than even in countries at war,” the former Anambra governor argued.
While urging broader national mobilisation, Obi said: “Poverty has increased dramatically in the past two and a half years… the highest in any country on earth. Our appeal is that we have to rise up now because this situation cannot be allowed to continue."
....Atiku Warns of Continental Impact
Atiku Abubakar called for the opposition’s concerns to be formally communicated to the international community.
“The speech delivered by the NNPP chairman on behalf of the country's opposition should be sent to all the embassies, particularly the Western democratic embassies in this country,” he said.
He warned the situation could have wider continental implications.
“The collapse of democracy in Nigeria is going to lead to the collapse of democracy in Africa because we are the largest democracy in Africa. We must make sure we restore true democracy to our country,” Atiku added.
*Nigerians Face A Stark Choice - Melaye*
Dino Melaye delivered a pointed philosophical warning to political actors.
“Every one of us here must decide either to walk in the light of creative humanism or perish in the darkness of destructive selfishness,” he said.
He urged the opposition to act decisively in the period ahead.
'We Will Defend Our Votes’ - David Mark*
David Mark reassured supporters of the coalition’s resolve to safeguard the integrity of future elections.
“We will defend our votes and make sure that our votes count. We have learnt lessons from the FCT election,” he said.
He also cautioned authorities against targeting opposition figures.
“Incarcerating opponents or people in opposition will not help their case,” Mark warned.
He added that the opposition would continue to stand for electoral justice..
*'Electoral Law Must Be Revisited Immediately'*
In its concluding position, the coalition called for immediate legislative action to review the amended law.
“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,” the statement said.
The leaders also called for broader civic participation.
“We call on all lovers of democracy… and civil society groups to join us in the task of saving our democracy and our beloved nation. We are committed to defending our democracy and… ensuring that every vote counts,” the opposition said.
Other speakers were united in a collective appeal for vigilance ahead of the next electoral cycle, as opposition figures pledged continued coordination in what is fast shaping into an early, high-stakes political confrontation over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
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