The Presidency has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of spreading false information about the Electoral Act, 2026.
The opposition parties had criticised the new law, calling it “obnoxious,” a threat to democracy, and an attempt to entrench a one-party system. The Electoral Act amendment was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, following its passage by the National Assembly.
Key provisions of the law include electronic transmission of election results with manual collation as a backup, and the nomination of candidates through direct primaries or consensus. The ADC and NNPP have rejected these provisions and urged the National Assembly to repeal and re-enact the legislation.
In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, urged the opposition to stop what he described as “constant lamentation and unwarranted outrage” against the APC-led federal government. He said the opposition has exaggerated the effects of the law to mislead the public and generate headlines.
Onanuga defended the Electoral Act as a significant improvement over previous legislation, closing loopholes previously exploited for manipulation. He dismissed claims that the use of form EC8A creates opportunities for election fraud, explaining that it serves as a necessary backup in areas with network challenges. He also clarified that the INEC results viewing portal (IReV) is only for public display, while form EC8 remains the primary source for validating results.
Addressing opposition concerns over candidate selection, Onanuga argued that direct primaries and consensus are more democratic than the delegate system. He noted that lawmakers consulted widely over two years, considering stakeholders’ input on potential technical issues that could affect elections.
The presidential aide further rejected accusations that the law aims to establish a one-party state, pointing out that Nigeria still has over a dozen registered political parties, including the ADC and NNPP. He stated that the opposition’s grievances are due to internal disorganisation rather than government interference.
