2027: Opposition leaders meet in Abuja over Electoral Act

Prominent opposition figures from across Nigeria’s political landscape are currently gathered at Transcorp in Abuja to articulate their stance on the Electoral Act.

Among those in attendance are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The high-level meeting has drawn significant attention, given the influence and political weight of the personalities involved.

Also present at the gathering are former Senate President David Mark; New Nigeria Peoples Party chieftain Buba Galadima; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola.

The opposition leaders, who are meeting at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, are expected to address journalists on contentious provisions of the Electoral Act, as well as other key national issues.

Other stakeholders at the venue include the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu; and a former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, among others.

Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were permitted to nominate candidates through direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or by consensus arrangements reached by party leaders.

However, the 2026 Electoral Act, recently passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, restricts parties to only direct primaries and consensus options.

In addition, the new law shortens campaign periods and timelines for primaries, while funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before an election, instead of the previous 12 months.