Opposition Chiefs, Including Atiku, Mark, Obi, Amaechi, Meet in Abuja to Address Electoral Act Dispute

Prominent opposition figures gathered in Abuja on Thursday ahead of a planned world press conference focused on Nigeria’s electoral framework.

Among those in attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The leaders, drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), are set to address journalists under the theme, “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy.”

The briefing is expected to centre on the 2026 Electoral Act recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While the amendment has been enacted, several opposition parties have raised objections to specific provisions. Of particular concern is the clause permitting manual collation of election results in cases of network failure. Critics argue that the measure could weaken transparency and open the door to irregularities.

Opposition leaders are advocating mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units, maintaining that such a requirement would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

Other political figures present at the meeting included former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, former Osun State Governor and ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, Salihu Lukman, and Senator Dino Melaye, among others.

The press conference is being organised by leaders of the country’s major opposition parties, who say they intend to present a unified position on the electoral reforms.