Why opposition leaders are angry about 2026 Electoral Act – All Progressives Congress (APC)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said opposition leaders are angry over the 2026 Electoral Act amendment because it frustrates what it described as a plan to use real-time transmission of results as grounds to challenge the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, said key opposition figures were upset because the amendment removed what he called a “game plan” to invalidate elections where real-time electronic transmission of results is not possible.

“So, let me tell you very quickly why Peter Obi, Galadima and his friends in the opposition are livid about this amendment,” Morka said.

“They were hoping to sell this dummy to the National Assembly and to Nigerians: that unless results are transmitted in real time, that becomes grounds to invalidate the election in 2027. That was it – it was a game plan,” he added.

According to him, opposition figures were fully aware that internet connectivity remains uneven across the country.

“Buba Galadima knows, Atiku Abubakar knows, Peter Obi knows, and David Mark knows that connectivity is not universal in all the territories and voting districts of Nigeria,” Morka said.

His comments followed the signing of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party rejected the new law, insisting it is anti-democratic and tilted in favour of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

At a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday, opposition leaders demanded that the National Assembly immediately begin a fresh amendment process for the Electoral Act 2026.

The agitation was led by senior opposition figures, including former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.

But the Senate swiftly dismissed the call for a fresh amendment, urging the opposition leaders to channel their concerns through the legislative process of the National Assembly.

The upper chamber advised Atiku, Obi and Amaechi to pursue any grievances over the new electoral law within the framework of the parliament.