Opposition Parties Warn Against Electoral Act Amendments

Opposition parties in Nigeria have issued a strong warning regarding the recent amendments to the Electoral Act, claiming they are designed to facilitate the All Progressives Congress (APC) in coronating Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. During a press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, leaders from various opposition parties, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), expressed outrage over the amendments, which they argue contain provisions that could undermine electoral transparency and weaken democratic competition.

They highlighted that the amendments were passed quickly by the APC-led National Assembly and subsequently assented to by President Tinubu, despite public protests during hearings. The opposition criticized specific provisions, such as Section 60(3), which grants the presidency broad discretionary powers that could be exploited to manipulate election results.

They also noted the low voter turnout in recent Federal Capital Territory area council elections, reflecting public distrust in the electoral process. The coalition condemned increasing political violence against opposition members, emphasizing the need to reject the new Electoral Act.