Photo: Former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during the press conference.

Opposition leaders on Thursday rejected the Electoral Act recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

During a joint press conference in Abuja today, the opposition leaders (the African Democratic Congress, ADC , and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP) demanded that the National Assembly should begin a fresh process to amend the Electoral Act, insisting that the current law does not reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.

In a communiqué read by the NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, they urged lawmakers to immediately reopen the law for review to ensure it guarantees credible elections.

Ahmed said that the opposition wants a new amendment process that would “remove all obnoxious provisions” and produce a legal framework that reflects the will of Nigerians for “free, fair, transparent and credible” elections.

The group warned that anything short of this would be unacceptable.

Prominent figures at the meeting included former Senate President David Mark, NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Others in attendance at the meeting, held at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, included the ADC national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Dino Melaye, former ADC national chairman Ralph Nwosu and former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke, alongside other party officials and stakeholders.

•Peter Akpe. Photo: Bayelsa State Govt

Dr Peter Akpe will likely be sworn-in today as the new deputy governor by Bayelsa State House of Assembly

Before his nomination and approval by the Assembly yesterday , Dr Akpe was the Chief of Staff to Governor Douye Diri.

The development followed the demise of the former deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, after he slumped in the office on December 11, 2025 and was buried on January 30, 2026.

The governor insisted that no action would be taken on appointing a replacement for the deputy governor until after the burial.

Akpe, a former majority leader of the State House of Assembly, was swiftly cleared by the lawmakers, who congratulated him amid cheers.

Akpe, a trusted aide and a maternal cousin to Diri, is a seasoned administrator and politician.

He holds a Ph.D in Administration and Planning from the University of Port Harcourt and has extensive public service experience, including roles as Head of Administration in the Office of the Deputy Governor (2006–2007), Service Commission Member (2008–2011), Leader of the House (2011–2019), Deputy Chief of Staff, and Chief of Staff at Government House (2020–2024).He is also a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a part-time lecturer at the Redeemer’s University, Ede.

Former Edo State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) national leader Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, along with Labour Party stalwart Peter Obi, narrowly escaped an attack by suspected hoodlums at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.

The incident occurred while key political figures, including Peter Obi, were reportedly engaged in a meeting at the residence. Eyewitnesses described a sudden assault that left visible signs of violence, including broken bottles scattered around the premises, bullet holes on the gate, and damaged vehicles parked nearby.

The attack followed closely on the heels of a separate invasion at the ADC secretariat in Benin, where hoodlums vandalized party property shortly after activities linked to political realignments, including reported defections and alliances involving opposition figures.

No casualties were immediately reported from the residence incident, and both Oyegun and Obi are said to be safe. The timing has raised concerns of targeted intimidation amid growing speculation about opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections, including potential ADC-Obidient (supporters of Peter Obi) collaborations that Oyegun has publicly endorsed as a pathway to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun reacted to the development, describing it as “deeply troubling and unacceptable” in the context of recent threats to the party.

He called for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that such acts undermine democratic processes and must be deterred.

Security operatives have yet to provide an official account or confirm arrests related to the attack.

The incidents have heightened tensions within Edo’s political landscape, where the ADC has been positioning itself as an alternative platform attracting defectors and opposition voices.

Party sources described the events as attempts to disrupt emerging alliances and stifle political momentum.

Further details on the meeting’s agenda and any official police investigation are awaited as the situation develops.