Leading opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, are meeting at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja to present their stance on the recently passed 2026 Electoral Act.
Also in attendance are former Senate President David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Buba Galadima, and Rauf Aregbesola, among other prominent political leaders.
The meeting, taking place at the Lagos/Osun Hall, brings together key stakeholders including Bolaji Abdullahi, Dino Melaye, Ralph Nwosu, and Liyel Imoke, to discuss contentious provisions of the law and other national issues.
Under the 2026 Electoral Act, parties can now only conduct direct primaries or reach consensus to nominate candidates, a change from the previous 2022 Act which allowed indirect primaries.
The law also shortens campaign periods and primary timelines, while INEC funding will now be released six months before elections, instead of twelve.
Atiku and Obi are expected to address journalists on these changes, highlighting potential implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Political parties must be free to choose candidates in ways that reflect members’ wishes,” a source close to the meeting said. “These changes could significantly affect internal democracy and electoral fairness.”
Details from the session will be released later.
