*As Atiku, Peter Obi, Amaechi, David Mark Reject Electoral Act 2026
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have called on the National Assembly to commence a fresh process to amend the Electoral Act, describing the recently signed Electoral Act 2026 as anti-democratic and a move aimed at entrenching a one-party state.
At a press conference held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Thursday, the opposition leaders vowed to use all constitutional means to resist the implementation of the Act, stressing their commitment to safeguarding democracy and ensuring that the votes of Nigerians count in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition, NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, urged federal lawmakers to expunge all objectionable provisions contained in the Act.
Prominent opposition figures at the meeting included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark; former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima.
Also in attendance were the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu; and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke.
Other figures included former lawmaker Linda Ukeje, Lawal Batagarawa, Salihu Lukman, and Yunusa Tanko, among several dignitaries.
The briefing also highlighted internal disputes within the opposition as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki withdrew after being denied the opportunity to read the prepared statement.
Sources said that efforts by Senator Dino Melaye to mediate between the Turaki faction and other leaders reportedly failed, with organisers citing the faction’s lack of legal recognition.
Out of roughly 20 opposition parties, only the ADC and NNPP were present at the event, underscoring limited participation in the coordinated rejection of the new Electoral Act.
