Nigeria’s leading opposition figures yesterday launched a coordinated political offensive against President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress, APC-led government, rejecting the newly-amended Electoral Act 2026, and warned it could spark a democratic crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.

Opposition parties have asked the Federal Government to urgently clear the air over reports alleging that more than N10 billion was paid as ransom and two senior Boko Haram commanders were freed to secure the release of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri.

The release of the timetable for the February 20, 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may have caught most of the registered political parties in the country unprepared for the contest, and they have a tough nut to crack to make up for lost ground.

The Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged intimidation and manipulation in last Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared Kasim Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as the Chairman-elect of the Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, following Saturday’s Area Council Election in the territory.