Presidency Accuses ADC, NNPP of Misinformation Over New Electoral Act 2026

The Presidency has strongly rebuked opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for allegedly spreading misinformation about the recently signed Electoral Act 2026, describing their criticisms as baseless attempts to mislead Nigerians and incite unrest.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Thursday, urging the opposition to cease their “constant lamentation and unwarranted outrage” against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. NaijaChoice News gathered that Onanuga accused the ADC, in particular, of turning “irresponsible political statements into an art form” to attract cheap headlines.

This comes amid growing controversy over the Electoral Act amendment bill, which President Tinubu signed into law on February 18, 2026, following its passage by the National Assembly. The new law introduces key provisions such as the electronic transmission of election results, with manual collation via Form EC8A as a fallback in cases of technological failure. It also mandates that political parties select candidates through direct primaries or consensus, aiming to enhance transparency and internal democracy.

Onanuga defended the legislation as a “significant improvement” over the previous act, arguing that it closes loopholes previously exploited for manipulation. “Contrary to their deliberate misinformation designed to incite the populace, the new Electoral Act is a significant improvement over the repealed law,” he stated. He further alleged that opposition leaders are collaborating with certain civil society organisations to wage a “relentless war of disinformation” against the legislature and the administration.

Addressing specific concerns, Onanuga dismissed claims that the fallback to Form EC8A creates opportunities for rigging, noting that network glitches remain a reality in many parts of Nigeria. “Any reasonable Nigerian understands that network glitches are a real issue,” he said. He clarified that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IReV) serves only as a public viewing platform, not a collation centre, with Form EC8 remaining the primary validation source.

On the issue of direct primaries, Onanuga described the opposition’s rejection as “perplexing,” emphasising that the method is more democratic than the old delegate system. He highlighted that lawmakers consulted stakeholders, technical experts, and citizens over two years to address risks like technical failures that could undermine elections.

The presidential aide outrightly rejected allegations that President Tinubu is plotting to establish a one-party state, pointing out that Nigeria hosts over a dozen registered political parties, including the ADC and NNPP. “In summary, the opposition is merely crying foul because the rules of the game have been adjusted to prevent manipulation, such as result hacking, which they have allegedly perfected,” Onanuga added. He attributed the opposition’s challenges to internal disorganisation rather than government suppression.

On the other side, opposition figures have vehemently opposed the new law, calling for its immediate repeal and re-enactment. Leaders from the ADC and NNPP, joined by prominent personalities such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, and others, described the act as “obnoxious” and a threat to democracy during a joint press conference in Abuja.

Ajuji Ahmed, NNPP National Chairman, speaking on behalf of the group, accused the APC-led National Assembly and President Tinubu of enacting the law in “contemptuous haste” to weaken opposition, corrupt the electoral system, and impose a totalitarian one-party rule. Key grievances include Section 60(3), which they argue gives excessive discretion to presiding officers and undermines mandatory electronic transmission of results, potentially allowing manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have met and decided to collectively articulate our position against the offensive and anti-democratic Electoral Act 2026,” Ahmed stated, vowing to use all constitutional means to resist its implementation. The opposition leaders demanded a fresh amendment to ensure free, fair, and credible elections that reflect Nigerians’ aspirations.

NaijaChoice News reports that the Senate has dismissed calls for a fresh amendment, advising opposition leaders to channel their concerns through legislative processes. Analysts suggest this dispute could heighten political tensions as the country gears up for the 2027 polls, with both sides digging in on the future of Nigeria’s electoral integrity.