The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected the newly amended Electoral Act 2026, calling for an immediate review by the National Assembly.

President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18 after its passage by the National Assembly.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of opposition parties, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led National Assembly of rushing the legislation with the intent to weaken opposition parties and entrench a one-party system.

Ahmed described the new law as anti-democratic, alleging that it was designed to compromise electoral transparency and undermine the credibility of future elections. He said opposition parties would explore all constitutional means to challenge the implementation of the Act.

According to him, the law represents a broader strategy to disorganise opposition forces and distort democratic institutions. He urged the National Assembly to immediately commence a fresh amendment process to remove what he termed “obnoxious provisions” and align the Act with Nigerians’ aspirations for free, fair and credible elections.

The NNPP chairman also criticised lawmakers for allegedly disregarding recommendations made by stakeholders during public hearings, claiming that citizens’ inputs were ignored in the final version of the legislation.

The opposition leaders further described the recent Federal Capital Territory area council elections as a “test run” for what they alleged could be a broader rigging strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those present at the briefing were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party; former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; ADC National Chairman David Mark; and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.