Leading opposition figures on Tuesday convened at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja to present a unified position on recent amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework.

Among those in attendance were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. The meeting, held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the hotel, brought together senior political stakeholders across party lines.

Other prominent participants included 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.

Also present were the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; former Kogi West 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 address journalists on contentious provisions of the revised electoral law and broader national political developments.

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 through consensus arrangements agreed upon by party leadership.

However, the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, limits parties to direct primaries and consensus options, effectively removing the indirect primary system.

In addition, the new law shortens campaign periods and timelines for party primaries. It also revises the funding schedule for the Independent National Electoral Commission, mandating that funds be released six months before an election, as against the previous 12-month requirement.

Details later...