- Stop Lamenting Over Electoral Act Amendment – Presidency Tells Opposition
- Onanuga says Form EC8A serves as backup
- ADC and NNPP urged to strengthen parties
The Presidency has asked opposition parties to end what it described as “constant lamentation and unwarranted outrage” over the amended Electoral Act and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on February 26, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party of making what he called “reckless, spurious allegations” against the APC led Federal Government.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Onanuga alleged that opposition figures, working “in cahoots with some civil society groups,” had sustained a campaign of misinformation against the National Assembly and the Federal Government. He said the opposition was attempting to “impose their will on Nigerians and the legislature,” stressing that the National Assembly remains constitutionally empowered to make laws.
According to him, the amendment to the Electoral Act was introduced in response to prevailing electoral realities. He said the law allows real time transmission of results while recognising Form EC8A as a backup in the event of network failure.
“The opposition’s claim that Form EC8A creates a loophole for manipulation is illogical and a needless tantrum by those who should know better,” Onanuga stated.
He added that the 2026 Electoral Act does not prohibit electronic transmission. “It simply stipulates that if transmission fails, the result recorded on Form EC8A shall be deemed valid,” he said.
Onanuga also clarified that the IReV portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission is not a collation centre but a public viewing platform. “The primary source for validating election results remains Form EC8,” he said.
Addressing criticism over the reintroduction of direct primaries and consensus voting, he described it as “perplexing” that opposition parties would reject direct primaries while favouring delegate based systems.
“The opposition should be grateful to the National Assembly for removing delegate based primaries and restoring party ownership to its members,” he said, adding that no aspirant should fear participation by party members.
Dismissing claims that the President intends to impose a one party state, Onanuga described the allegation as “cheap shots.”
“Nigeria is a vibrant multiparty democracy, with more than a dozen registered parties, including ADC and NNPP,” he said.
He maintained that the new Electoral Act improves on the repealed law and closes potential loopholes for manipulation.
“In summary, the opposition is merely crying foul because the rules of the game have been adjusted to prevent manipulation,” he said.
The Presidency urged opposition leaders to focus on strengthening their parties instead of engaging in what it called needless outrage.
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