Fresh facts have emerged on the reason why leaders of Nigeria’s opposition parties rejected the newly amended Electoral Act and revised timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the coalition, comprising key figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Thursday, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pushing through provisions that could undermine electoral credibility ahead of the next general elections.
Those who spoke at the event, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, NNPP National Chairman, Ahmed Ajuji, among others, argued that certain amendments to the Act appear to grant excessive discretionary powers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in areas relating to result transmission and the management of technological glitches during elections.
According to them, the changes create legal loopholes that could be exploited to justify delays or inconsistencies in the announcement of results.
They also faulted what they described as the removal or dilution of mandatory electronic transmission safeguards, insisting that technology remains the most reliable mechanism to curb manipulation at collation centres.
Another contentious issue raised by the opposition is the timeline for resolving pre-election disputes. The coalition maintained that the revised provisions may compress judicial review windows in ways that could deny aggrieved aspirants and parties fair hearing before elections are conducted.
The leaders further expressed concern over campaign finance regulations, alleging that the new limits and disclosure requirements are either ambiguous or selectively enforceable.
Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER over the weekend, a top leader of the coalition who spoke under condition of anonymity, noted that most of the provisions of the new Act were carefully designed to return President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power.
The coalition leader contended that major provisions mandatory electronic register for political parties, removal of indirect primaries, and others stating that the new law is against the principles of fairness and democratic justice.
His words, “The new Electoral Act was authored, directed and finished by the APC and its leadership. For example, look at electronic register of party members that INEC is demanding for now, it was purposively put there to ensure that some political parties, without the financial wherewithal of registering party members do not have a window to contest.
“The APC began its own electronic registration since last year. Now, they have made it mandatory for all of us. What about the smaller parties without finances. How do they do it in the next few weeks?
“Transmission of results in real-time, abolishment of indirect primaries and all were carefully designed by the party in power to suit their taste and preference for the next elections. That is why our leaders have rejected it.
“We want the National Assembly to go back to the drawing board and re-amend the act. It is totally and purely against true democracy and the wishes of the Nigerian people. This is not about opposition, but ensuring that our institutions are not overtly rendered useless for the ambition of an individual,” the coalition leader said.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rejected the revised 2026–2027 electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that it contains “boobytraps” designed to exclude opposition parties and pave the way for President Bola Tinubu’s unopposed return in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC faulted new compliance requirements introduced under Sections 77 and 82 of the Electoral Act 2026, saying they impose unfair burdens on opposition parties while conferring undue advantage on the ruling party.
The party said the timeline creates an “almost impossible hurdle” that could prevent opposition parties from fielding candidates.
ADC also called on civil society groups, democratic stakeholders and Nigerians across party lines to scrutinise the timetable and demand fairness, warning that democracy cannot survive if electoral rules are designed to produce predetermined outcomes.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
