Political economist Pat Utomi, alongside the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), has alleged a coordinated plan involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group raised concerns in Lagos while reacting to INEC’s withdrawal of recognition for the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as chairman and secretary.
Utomi described the situation as “a coordinated assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” adding that the country is “currently in a worse state than during the regime” of Sani Abacha.
According to the group, INEC’s decision—reportedly based on a Court of Appeal directive to maintain status quo—contradicts the party’s existing leadership structure and raises serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
They further alleged that the commission has refused to acknowledge party communications and signaled it would not monitor the ADC’s congresses scheduled to begin April 7.
“Where does this decision leave all the aspirants of one of the largest opposition parties in Nigeria?” the group queried, warning that such actions could disenfranchise credible candidates and weaken multiparty democracy.
MCE described the move as “a malicious attempt to decapitate the opposition,” linking it to broader instability within opposition parties such as the Labour Party Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The group also alleged that political actors, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have contributed to internal crises.
The group accused the administration of Bola Tinubu of manipulating democratic institutions to advance what it termed 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.
MCE also announced plans for nationwide rallies and town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones, beginning in Gombe on April 9 and ending with a national convergence in Abuja on April 27, to mobilise Nigerians against what it described as growing electoral interference.
The group called for the immediate resignation of INEC leadership and demanded sweeping electoral reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.