ABUJA, FCT – February 26, 2026 – A fresh political battle has erupted in Nigeria following the signing of the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2026 by President Bola Tinubu, with opposition parties warning that parts of the new law could undermine confidence in the 2027 general elections.
Leaders of several opposition parties gathered in Abuja on Thursday to strongly criticise the amended law, describing key provisions as dangerous and capable of weakening electoral transparency. At the same time, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency dismissed the claims, accusing the opposition of spreading misinformation and playing politics.
The disagreement signals what could become one of the most heated political confrontations ahead of the next general elections.
Opposition Raises Alarm
Speaking at a press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, opposition leaders demanded an immediate review of the new Electoral Act. The briefing, themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” brought together prominent political figures across party lines.
Among those present were former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), including Buba Galadima.
Reading a joint communiqué, NNPP National Chairman Ahmed Ajuji said the National Assembly must urgently reopen discussions on the Act. He stressed that the law must reflect Nigerians’ demand for “free, fair, transparent and credible elections,” warning that any provision capable of weakening public trust should be removed.
Section 60(3) Sparks Controversy
At the centre of the dispute is the amendment to Section 60(3) of the Act. The new provision allows presiding officers to rely on manual transmission of election results in cases where electronic transmission fails due to network issues.
The opposition argues that this clause weakens the previously mandatory electronic transmission system and could create opportunities for result manipulation. They insist that Nigeria’s electoral infrastructure is capable of handling nationwide electronic transmission, citing earlier assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They also rejected changes to Section 84 of the Act, which now limits political parties to direct primaries and consensus methods for selecting candidates, effectively removing indirect primaries. According to the coalition, this interferes with the internal affairs of political parties.
The opposition further pointed to alleged irregularities in the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) local government elections, describing the exercise as flawed and warning that it raises concerns about the credibility of future elections.
Additionally, the coalition condemned reported attacks on ADC leaders in Edo State, saying political violence poses a serious threat to democratic stability. They vowed to challenge the new law through constitutional means and called on civil society groups and Nigerians to defend democracy.
How the Law Was Passed
President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2026 into law on February 18, 2026, after it was passed by the National Assembly.
The law gives statutory backing to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and revises election timelines. However, debates intensified over the inclusion of manual transmission as a fallback option.
In the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) pushed for removal of the manual transmission clause. After a division vote, 55 senators voted to retain the provision, while 15 opposed it.
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers also debated compulsory real-time electronic transmission to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Despite objections from some members, the House leadership approved the provision allowing manual transmission in cases of technical failure.
President Tinubu defended the decision, saying Nigeria may not yet be fully prepared for complete nationwide real-time electronic transmission without a backup. He warned that technical glitches or cybersecurity threats could disrupt elections if there is no alternative system.
APC Responds to ADC Allegations
Meanwhile, the APC strongly rejected allegations made by the ADC concerning a reported shooting incident involving ADC members in Edo State.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC described the accusations as baseless and premature. The party said it was wrong to blame the APC before security agencies completed investigations.
The APC condemned political violence and called for a thorough and speedy investigation. However, it suggested that investigators should also examine possible internal leadership disputes within the ADC as a potential cause of the crisis.
Presidency Fires Back
In a separate State House press statement dated February 26, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused opposition parties of “constant lamentation and unwarranted outrage.”
The statement described the opposition’s claims as reckless and misleading, accusing them of working with some civil society groups to spread disinformation against the National Assembly and the APC-led government.
According to the Presidency, the Electoral Act amendment allows real-time transmission of results but provides Form EC8A as a backup only in cases of network failure. The statement argued that network glitches are a real issue and that the law does not prohibit electronic transmission.
It also clarified that the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) is not a collation centre but only a platform for public viewing of uploaded results. The Presidency maintained that Form EC8 remains the primary legal document for validating results.
On the issue of direct primaries, the Presidency defended the removal of delegate-based primaries, arguing that direct primaries empower party members rather than a few delegates. It said no aspirant should fear participation by party members and compared the system to that used in the United States.
The statement further rejected claims that President Tinubu intends to create a one-party state, describing Nigeria as a vibrant multiparty democracy with more than a dozen registered parties.
According to the Presidency, the new Electoral Act closes loopholes that could be exploited for manipulation and strengthens the electoral process rather than weakening it.
What This Means Going Forward
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the Electoral Act 2026 is now shaping up to be a major political flashpoint. While the opposition insists the law threatens transparency, the ruling party and the Presidency argue it strengthens safeguards and prevents technical disruptions.
As legal challenges and political debates continue, the controversy is likely to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape in the months ahead, with both sides mobilising support and preparing for what could be a fiercely contested election cycle.
