Moses Ofodeme
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has resolved to engage the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and leading Presidential candidates, among other key political stakeholders of Nigeria as part of its lined up interventions in making the 2027 Elections free, fair, credible and acceptable to all.
MCE, an umbrella coalition, initiated by prominent Activists and Thought Leaders, who include, Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Prof Pat Utomi, Barr Femi Falana, SAN, Amb Nkoyo Toyo, Prince Adewole Adebayo, Comrade Ene Obi, Dr Bilikisu Magoro, among others also resolved to use this year’s June 12 Democracy Day celebration to rally leading presidential aspirants towards the stability of the 2027 electoral process
The movement’s resolve at a strategy review meeting on Wednesday is necessitated by concerns of the Coalition about recent developments surrounding INEC Guidelines and Timelines for the 2027 Elections, Party membership E- Registration, the Intrusion of INEC in the internal affairs of political parties and other grave worries raised by opposition parties, creating widespread public anxiety that the 2027 elections might not hold after all
The movement therefore warns that, while election is being planned to hold in 2027, democracy may suffer severe setback, if the country’s electoral space continues to shrink in turbulence due to regulatory interference of Nigeria’s electoral umpire and high cost of nomination forms for aspirants imposed by Political Parties as citizens may begin to lose confidence in the fairness and credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.
In the same vein, MCE is worried that one of the gravest dangers confronting Nigeria’s democracy today is the growing perception that electoral regulations by the INEC are being used to decapitate targeted political actors as excessive compliance burdens on political parties, opaque registration processes for new political parties, selective enforcement of electoral guidelines, and increasing bureaucratic restrictions of party membership are already creating fears that opposition voices may gradually be weakened and demobilized ahead of the 2027 elections.
The MCE is also deeply disturbed by pervasive public discussions suggesting that Nigeria may be moving toward a contrived One Man Rule, a system where elections will exist merely in form while genuine democratic choice is closed in substance. Such fears, whether dismissed or not are dangerous signals that must be urgently addressed, by the powers that be, in the interest of national cohesion and democratic stability of Nigeria
The Coalition hereby calls on INEC and the National Assembly to immediately review aspects of the electoral laws and election guidelines and regulations that have generated widespread discomfiture among political stakeholders, opposition parties, and democracy advocates, while also demanding full transparency and fairness in political party registration processes, management of compliance requirements, and enforcement of electoral laws.
MCE therefore insists that all political parties must be treated equally regardless of size, influence, or access to power as any perception of selective enforcement or institutional bias will severely set back public trust in the sanctity of the 2027 elections and also deepen voter apathy across the country. MCE, to this end, requests INEC and the Tinubu’s administration to publicly demonstrate unwavering commitment to political pluralism, democratic openness, institutional neutrality, and the protection of opposition rights ahead of the 2027 general elections.
MCE is bothered that continued public distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process, combined with fears of predetermined electoral outcomes, could trigger a dangerous legitimacy crisis capable of undermining democratic stability and national cohesion of the country
In the light of the foregoing, MCE is now poised to rally an urgent electoral coalition involving political stakeholders, presidential aspirants, leaders of the civil society, youth groups and the media to be initiated in Abuja on Monday, 25th May, 2026 and to be consolidated during the commemoration of this year’s June 12 democracy day anniversary in Lagos.
This intervention is aimed at restoring public confidence in the country’s democracy, while strengthening the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 Elections as Credible elections remain the foundation of national harmony, political legitimacy, and democratic pillar for good governance and national stability. For any attempt to weaken multiparty democracy would spell doom and pose grave consequences for the future of Nigeria.