Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hosted a high-level meeting with the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, and other senior party executives at his residence in Abuja on Saturday.

The closed-door meeting signals intensifying efforts by opposition leaders to forge broader alliances across multiple political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, beyond the African Democratic Congress coalition where Atiku currently serves as a prominent figure.

While specific details of the discussions remain undisclosed, political observers interpret the engagement as part of Atiku’s strategic outreach to expand the opposition base by building bridges with smaller parties that could provide critical support in key battleground states.

The meeting comes at a time when opposition forces are exploring various partnership configurations aimed at presenting a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next electoral cycle.

Atiku’s dual strategy of leading the ADC coalition while simultaneously engaging leaders of other opposition parties reflects the complex political calculations required to build a winning electoral platform capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu.

The Action Democratic Party, though relatively smaller compared to major platforms like the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, commands grassroots presence in several states and could prove valuable in close contests where marginal votes determine outcomes.

Political analysts note that successful opposition collaboration in 2027 will require not just high-profile coalitions among former governors and presidential candidates, but also tactical alliances with regional parties that control voting blocs in strategic constituencies.

Atiku has been particularly active in recent weeks hosting various political stakeholders at his Abuja residence, including delegations from Kebbi State ADC members and other opposition figures exploring partnership possibilities.

The 78-year-old politician, making what would be his seventh presidential run, has positioned himself as the unifying figure capable of bringing together Nigeria’s fragmented opposition under a common platform.

However, the opposition alliance-building faces significant challenges, including disagreements over presidential ticket arrangements, with Peter Obi’s supporters rejecting suggestions that he should serve as running mate to Atiku in any joint candidacy.

The internal tensions within the ADC coalition, combined with parallel negotiations involving multiple smaller parties, have raised questions about whether opposition forces can overcome personal ambitions and regional calculations to present a cohesive challenge to the APC.

Observers also note that while these elite-level negotiations generate headlines, converting party leadership agreements into actual grassroots voter mobilization remains the ultimate test of any opposition alliance strategy.

The African Democratic Congress has accused the National Assembly of deliberately frustrating critical electoral reforms by delaying passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that continued inaction threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Saturday by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party specifically targeted the APC-led Senate for stalling the legislation and warned against weakening or diluting key provisions including electronic voter accreditation and results transmission.

The ADC’s accusation comes as civil society organizations and election observers express mounting alarm over the Senate’s failure to conclude action on a bill already passed by the House of Representatives at third reading on December 23, 2025.

According to Abdullahi, the deliberate delay appears designed to prevent the implementation of reforms that could level the electoral playing field and reduce opportunities for manipulation that characterized the 2023 general elections.

“We are calling on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Electoral Bill 2025. Continued delays could undermine critical electoral reforms and threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections,” the ADC spokesman stated.

The Senate inaugurated a seven-member ad hoc committee on Thursday to review, harmonize and streamline senators’ contributions to the proposed amendments, following a three-hour closed-door executive session examining the Electoral Act Repeal and Re-Enactment Bill.

However, the ADC and civil society groups argue that further committee work at this stage represents another delaying tactic when time-sensitive reforms require immediate legislative action.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has joined ADC in condemning the delay, expressing grave concern that the Senate’s continued inaction undermines Nigeria’s electoral reform process and threatens timely preparations for the 2027 polls.

Situation Room noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission is legally required to issue the Notice of Election in February 2026, meaning any further slippage in passing the Electoral Bill could place the entire election cycle at risk.

The civil society coalition stressed that electoral reform is not routine legislation but a time-sensitive national obligation that requires urgent completion to allow INEC sufficient time to plan, implement and sensitize stakeholders under a revised legal framework.

The organization criticized the extended National Assembly recess extending into 2026 as inexcusable, noting that established democracies including the United Kingdom, United States, Kenya and South Africa maintain structured calendars allowing priority legislation to proceed even during recess periods.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently alleged that loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 undermined the credibility of the 2023 general elections, stating that the law’s gaps enabled widespread rigging and made it extremely difficult for petitioners to win cases in court.

INEC had forwarded 142 post-election recommendations to the National Assembly in May 2025, with eight requiring constitutional or Electoral Act amendments, but lawmakers have shown limited urgency in addressing these technical concerns raised by the electoral umpire.

The Electoral Bill seeks to address critical deficiencies observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, provisions for early voting, and tougher sanctions for electoral offenses.

Under current timelines, if the Senate fails to conclude action on the bill within the coming weeks, the proposed reforms will automatically lapse, meaning Nigeria would head into another election cycle under the same 2022 Electoral Act whose gaps and ambiguities were exposed during the 2023 polls.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has also called on the National Assembly to fast-track critical legislative reforms, particularly electoral-related bills, emphasizing that electoral reform remains a core demand of Nigerian citizens following lessons from the 2023 general elections.

ADC warned that the APC government appears more focused on retaining power than implementing reforms that ensure free and fair elections, noting that even under the current timetable, incumbent structures at state and federal levels are already campaigning.

The party urged lawmakers to demonstrate leadership, foresight and patriotism by prioritizing electoral reforms that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians rather than partisan political calculations aimed at maintaining advantages for the ruling party.

Civil society organizations have vowed to intensify public pressure on the Senate to prioritize the Electoral Bill immediately upon resumption from recess, with plans for advocacy campaigns demanding accountability from lawmakers who continue to delay electoral reform legislation.

The House of Representatives is preparing to honour its outgoing Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, as he approaches mandatory retirement from the National Assembly Service on February 8, 2026, after attaining the statutory retirement age.

The National Assembly Service Commission announced on January 21 the appointment of Kamoru Sidi as Acting Clerk of the House of Representatives effective February 9, 2026, to succeed Danzaria following his retirement.

Sidi, who previously served as Director of Administration in the National Assembly, brings extensive experience in parliamentary management and legislative operations to the position.

The Commission’s decision formally ends Danzaria’s tenure as one of the most transformative Clerks in the history of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career dedicated to strengthening parliamentary governance.

Dr. Danzaria, a native of Yelwa-Yauri in Kebbi State, has been widely praised for his professionalism, transparency and commitment to institutional excellence during his stewardship of the 10th House of Representatives.

Under his leadership, the House witnessed significant strides in administrative efficiency, including the comprehensive digitization of parliamentary documents and procedures that improved accessibility and transparency in legislative operations.

Colleagues and legislative experts have described Danzaria as the “unseen engine” of the parliament, whose behind-the-scenes work ensured the seamless operation of legislative machinery while lawmakers remained the visible faces of the institution.

His strategic thinking, meticulous planning and ability to bridge gaps among various stakeholders created an environment where legislative duties were executed with professionalism despite the complex administrative system governing the chamber.

Throughout his tenure, Danzaria maintained high standards of transparency and accountability, earning respect and admiration from lawmakers, administrative staff and the broader legislative community at a time when allegations of corruption and inefficiency have eroded public trust in governance.

A critical aspect of his legacy has been anticipating challenges and proactively addressing them, demonstrating deep understanding of the legislative agenda’s long-term implications while aligning the House’s administrative functions with its legislative priorities.

By fostering an environment focused on institutional re-engineering, Danzaria helped create a more efficient, responsive and citizen-centric parliament where lawmakers could concentrate on their primary mandate of legislating for national progress rather than being burdened by bureaucratic impediments.

His approach to bureaucratic reform ensured that administrative systems served as catalysts for meaningful change, supporting bills that enhanced national development and positioning the House for greater effectiveness in its constitutional responsibilities.

Lawmakers have credited Danzaria with providing invaluable guidance on legislative procedures, parliamentary ethics and institutional best practices, noting that his departure represents the loss of significant institutional memory and expertise.

The outgoing Clerk’s commitment to staff development was demonstrated through numerous training workshops focused on legislative work ethics, behavioural conduct and modern parliamentary practices aligned with global standards.

Danzaria consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining secrecy on official government documents, reminding staff that the 1962 Oath of Secrecy Act remains in force to demonstrate the premium placed on confidential information.

As his retirement approaches, tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s political landscape, with many describing him as a rare public servant whose quiet but impactful contributions laid the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society.

The House of Representatives is expected to hold a formal valedictory session before Danzaria’s departure, providing an opportunity for Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, principal officers and members to pay tribute to his exceptional service and dedication to parliamentary excellence.

Kamoru Sidi will inherit a well-organized and digitally-enhanced administrative structure, positioning him to build upon the solid foundation established by his predecessor while navigating the evolving challenges facing Nigeria’s legislature.