By Obinna Uballa
Key opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, are currently meeting in Abuja to articulate their position on the recently amended Electoral Act.
The high-level gathering is taking place at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where the leaders are expected to brief journalists on areas of concern in the new electoral framework and other pressing national issues.
Among those present are former Senate President David Mark; a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola.
Other political figures at the venue include the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu; and former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke.
The meeting comes amid growing debate over changes introduced in the 2026 Electoral Act, which was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law on February 18 by President Bola Tinubu.
Under the previous Electoral Act 2022, political parties were permitted to nominate candidates through direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or through consensus arrangements agreed upon by party leaders.
However, the newly enacted 2026 law restricts parties to only two options – direct primaries and consensus – effectively eliminating the indirect delegate system.
The revised legislation also shortens campaign periods and timelines for party primaries. In addition, funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before elections, compared to the previous requirement of 12 months.
The opposition leaders are expected to outline their concerns and possible next steps as discussions around the implications of the amended law continue to intensify.
