The Nigerian Senate has rejected the demands from opposition leaders to amend the just recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, insisting that complaints must be addressed through proper legislative channels.
The development followed a press conference in Abuja on Thursday by leaders of opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
They described parts of the new law as unfair ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18. The law restricts political parties to direct primaries and consensus in selecting candidates.
Under the now-replaced 2022 Act, parties could choose among direct primaries, indirect primaries through delegates, or consensus. However, the new act does not allow indirect primaries which is often the preference of most parties due to the logistical implications of a full direct primaries.
The new law also shortens campaign periods and timelines for primaries.
Aldo funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before elections, instead of 12 months. This, however, has no impact on the opposition parties.
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said opposition leaders should present their proposals through their representatives.
“Electoral Act again? Do you abort a pregnancy after the naming ceremony? If they have any grey areas, they can make their personal proposals to their legislators, and they will bring them. Once they bring it to the National Assembly, we will look at it,” he said.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu added that only the National Assembly has the power to amend the law. He cautioned against statements that could flare tensions again.
“The opposition should stop heating up the polity. If they are not comfortable with the current administration, they should contest against Mr. President in 2027 and see if they can defeat him. In the meantime, they should stop heating up the polity,” he said.
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