JUST IN: Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, other opposition heavyweights converge in Abuja over amended Electoral Act

Prominent opposition politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, have convened a strategic meeting in Abuja to deliberate on the implications of the newly amended Electoral Act.

The meeting is being held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where the leaders are expected to address the media on contentious aspects of the legislation and other national political developments.

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

Other stakeholders sighted at the venue include 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 gathering comes against the backdrop of the 2026 Electoral Act, recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law on February 18 by President Bola Tinubu.

Under the earlier Electoral Act 2022, political parties had three options for nominating candidates – direct primaries, indirect primaries through delegates, or consensus arrangements. However, the new law removes the indirect primary option, leaving only direct primaries and consensus as permissible methods.

The amended legislation also introduces shorter timelines for party primaries and general election campaigns. Additionally, funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be disbursed six months before elections, instead of the previous 12-month window.

The opposition leaders are expected to articulate their collective position on the reforms and outline possible responses as political realignments ahead of future elections begin to take shape.