ABUJA — The battle lines for the 2027 General Elections have been officially drawn following a stormy session in the National Assembly that saw opposition lawmakers stage a dramatic walkout over what they described as the “intentional sabotage” of Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
In a series of defiant statements released late Wednesday, February 18, 2026, members of the minority caucus—comprising the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and ADC—blasted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a “shameful resistance” to transparent elections. The lawmakers’ outburst came just hours after President Bola Tinubu signed the 2026 Electoral Bill into law, effectively cementing a “manual backup” loophole that critics fear will be the graveyard of the 2027 vote.
The “Legislative Coup”
The outcry follows the controversial passage of the amendment where the APC-led majority successfully blocked a move to make the real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results mandatory. Instead, the new law retains a discretionary clause, allowing for manual collation if technology “fails”—a scenario opposition members say is a pre-planned excuse for manipulation.
“Yesterday, before the walkout, I tried my best with my opposition colleagues to give legal backing to electronically transmitted results to help make our elections credible,” one prominent opposition lawmaker stated. “The APC resistance is very shameful. They are terrified of a system they cannot manipulate.”
“Transmission or Not, We Will Resist”
The mood among the opposition has shifted from legislative debate to a “battle for democracy.” Lawmakers have vowed that while the APC may have won the battle on the floor of the House and Senate, the ultimate war will be fought at the polling booths.
- The “Rigging” Alert:Â Opposition leaders have warned that by rejecting mandatory e-transmission, the APC is “clearing the path for a massive rig” in 2027.
- The “Sowore” Connection: Activists like Omoyele Sowore and Oby Ezekwesili, who were tear-gassed during the protest at the National Assembly gates, have joined the call for a “civil resistance” against the new law.
- The ADC Factor: With heavyweights like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi reportedly aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition is building a “Mega Party” to counter the ruling party’s “manual” advantage.
“A Rubber-Stamp Betrayal”—Nigerians Fire Back
The reaction from the public has been one of visceral anger, with many Nigerians labeling the 10th National Assembly as a “subsidiary of Aso Rock.”
- “Planning the Next Steal”: “If they can’t transmit results electronically in 2026, then they are already writing the results for 2027,” tweeted one popular analyst. “We have network for sports betting in every village, but suddenly no network for our votes? It’s a scam.”
- “Shame on the APC”: Critics on social media blasted the ruling party for “clinging to the dark ages” to maintain power. “They have money for new planes and ₦66bn for luxury SUVs, but they can’t afford a transparent election? It’s a national disgrace,” another resident in Abuja noted.
- “The Fight Continues”:Â Many citizens expressed support for the minority caucus’s walkout, viewing it as the only “honourable thing” to do in a “rigged process.”
The President’s Final Move
Despite the protests and the walkout, President Tinubu defended the “optional” transmission clause during the signing ceremony, citing the need to prevent “hacking”—a justification the opposition has dismissed as “laughable and technically illiterate.”
As the “Battle to Save Our Democracy” enters a new phase, the opposition has made its position clear:Â “Transmission or no transmission, we will resist rigging in 2027 at all cost.”
