Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet Over Electoral Act

Leading opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are currently meeting in Abuja to present their position on the Electoral Act.

The meeting is taking place at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Also in attendance are former Senate President David Mark; a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima; former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola.

Other stakeholders present 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, among others.

The opposition leaders are expected to brief journalists on contentious provisions of the newly amended Electoral Act, as well as other key national issues.

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

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

The new law also shortens campaign periods and timelines for primaries. Additionally, funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now to be released six months before an election, instead of the previous 12 months.

Details later…