The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining Nigeria's democratic process, warning that the 2027 general election is in grave danger.
The position was made known at a press conference on Thursday in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was addressed by the group leader, Pat Utomi, who spoke on behalf of the movement, while the statement was jointly signed by its leadership.
Utomi, a political economist, said the group was deeply troubled by the emerging alliance between the APC, a section of the Nigerian judiciary and INEC, describing it as an unethical combo designed to disenfranchise and oust legitimate presidential contenders and political parties from the 2027 balloting.
He pointed to INEC's recent decision to withdraw recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, which he described as evidence of a wider conspiracy against opposition parties.
“The statement by INEC on withdrawal of recognition of the ADC leadership is a malicious attempt to weaken the party and the opposition generally, so as to ensure that none of the major presidential candidates appear on the ballot in 2027,” Utomi said.
He further faulted INEC's reliance on the Court of Appeal order, arguing that the Commission had wrongly followed the directive.
“INEC claimed to rely on the Court of Appeal order directing the maintenance of the status quo, but launched institutional robbery on the ADC by refusing to recognize communications from the party at this critical stage,” he said.
The group also alleged a pattern of interference in opposition parties, citing the growth of the Labor Party and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
“We have seen how INEC, in collusion with a section of the judiciary and agents of the Tinubu government, weakened the Labor Party and subsequently destabilized the PDP under a fabricated agenda of imposing one-man rule on Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing concern over what it described as a growing electoral conspiracy, the MCE warned that INEC's actions could destroy multi-party democracy.
Utomi said, “INEC, as currently constituted, has shown that it is anything but independent. It is a gang of electoral bandits whose sole mandate is to make Bola Ahmed Tinubu the sole presidential candidate in 2027.”
The group called on Nigerians to resist the growing trend toward authoritarianism and announced plans for a nationwide mobilization.
“As the vanguard of the popular aspiration for credible elections, we will launch a nationwide mobilization for coordinated mass resistance against growing autocracy and electoral conspiracy,” he said.
The MCE also demanded the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman and his team, stressing that their continuance in office undermines public confidence in the electoral process.
“We demand the immediate resignation of the current INEC Chairman and his team, who have become the errand boys of the Tinubu administration,” the group declared.
The movement outlined plans for regional rallies across the country, culminating in a national convergence in Abuja, as part of efforts to push electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ultimately, the group maintained its rejection of what it described as election manipulation.
Utomi said, “We reject INEC's electoral robbery on the opposition and multi-party democracy in Nigeria. We call on all well-intentioned Nigerians to resist this conspiracy to strengthen one-man rule and demand comprehensive electoral reforms that will guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2027.”
The statement was signed by a coalition of civil society leaders and political actors including Dr. Usman Bugaje, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Hajiya Bilikisu Magoro, among others.