A political economist and public affairs analyst, Pat Utomi, alongside the Movement for Credible Elections, has alleged a coordinated effort involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group raised the alarm on Thursday in Lagos while reacting to INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
Utomi described the development as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic system.
He said the situation signalled what he termed “a coordinated assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” adding that the country was currently facing conditions worse than during the regime of former Head of State, Sani Abacha.
According to the group, INEC’s action, said to be based on a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo, contradicts the recognised leadership structure of the ADC and raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
The Movement for Credible Elections also expressed concern about the implications of the decision for aspirants seeking to contest under the ADC platform.
“Where does this decision leave all the aspirants of one of the largest opposition parties in Nigeria?” the group queried.
It warned that the move could disenfranchise credible presidential aspirants and undermine the country’s multiparty democratic system.
The group further alleged that the electoral commission had refused to recognise party communications and indicated that it would not monitor the party’s congresses scheduled to begin on April 7.
Describing the development as “a malicious attempt to decapitate the opposition,” the group said recent political events pointed to a broader pattern of interference in opposition parties.
The group cited internal crises within the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, alleging that political actors, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, played roles in destabilising opposition platforms.
It also accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of manipulating democratic institutions to pursue what it described as a one-man rule agenda.
“INEC, as presently constituted, has shown that it is anything but independent. It is acting in a manner that suggests a deliberate attempt to exclude viable opposition candidates from the 2027 elections,” the group said.
Announcing its next steps, the group disclosed plans to organise nationwide rallies and town hall meetings aimed at mobilising Nigerians against what it described as growing authoritarian tendencies.
According to the group, the mobilisation will span the six geopolitical zones, beginning with the North-East in Gombe on April 9 and culminating in a national gathering in Abuja on April 27.
The group also called for the resignation of the current INEC leadership, insisting that comprehensive electoral reforms are necessary to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
