A civil society movement, Concerned Citizens for Nigerian Democracy (CCND), has warned that alleged political partisanship within electoral and security institutions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections and plunge Nigeria into another political crisis.
The group urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate allegations of political affiliations among some electoral personnel, while calling on the police to guarantee all political parties equal access to campaign venues.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, CCND co-convener, Barrister Kingdom Okere, said the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depended on the ability of institutions to conduct credible elections and protect the rights of political parties and candidates.
“It is more about survival than anything else. This democracy must not die in our hands,” Okere declared.
The movement expressed concern that declining public confidence in the electoral process, worsening economic hardship and growing insecurity could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
Its central concern, however, was the neutrality of institutions responsible for conducting elections and maintaining law and order.
Okere alleged that questions had arisen over the political affiliations of some INEC personnel, particularly those working in sensitive information technology and election-monitoring departments.
He also questioned the political neutrality of some recently recruited ad hoc electoral workers, urging the commission to ensure that recruitment and deployment processes were transparent and free from partisan considerations.
The allegations were not independently substantiated at the press conference.
“INEC must remain independent and conduct free, fair and credible elections in January 2027,” he said.
CCND also demanded an explanation from the police over an alleged attempt to frustrate a political campaign at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Saturday, October 24.
According to Okere, supporters of a prominent presidential candidate had planned to hold a campaign flag-off at the venue when the FCT Commissioner of Police allegedly deployed more than 1,000 officers to the area.
He claimed the deployment was intended to frustrate the gathering, adding that the supporters eventually relocated and continued their activities.
The allegation was not independently verified at the event.
CCND maintained that security agencies should provide protection for lawful political activities rather than create conditions that could discourage opposition parties from campaigning.
It cited provisions of the Constitution relating to freedom of expression and association, as well as Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2026, as referenced by the speaker, in arguing that political parties should enjoy equal treatment during campaigns.
The group also cited reports of a similar incident in Benue State, where a candidate was allegedly asked to obtain approval from the state government before campaigning.
Okere called on police commissioners across the country to ensure that no candidate was denied the opportunity to campaign because of political affiliation.
“Every police commissioner, including the FCT Commissioner of Police, must provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” he said.
The movement’s other co-convener, Michael Ademofe, said Nigeria could face serious consequences if growing public distrust in elections was not addressed before the 2027 polls.
Ademofe described CCND as a non-partisan citizens’ movement incorporated in the United States, with members across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and in the diaspora.
He said the group believed political authority must derive from the people through free, fair and credible elections.
According to him, increasing voter disengagement and the possibility of citizens rejecting results they consider manipulated could create a volatile atmosphere, particularly amid economic hardship and insecurity.
He cited the violence that followed the 2011 general elections, when more than 800 people were reportedly killed, as a warning about the potential consequences of disputed elections.
The press conference was held under the theme, “Rescuing Nigeria from Sliding into Another Civil War.”
Ademofe said the group intended the warning to encourage preventive action rather than wait for electoral disputes to escalate into violence.
He also disclosed that CCND had submitted a request to INEC under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking information on aspects of the electoral process, although the specific details of the request were not fully outlined in his remarks.
Beyond electoral concerns, Okere argued that the rising cost of living had deepened public frustration and made credible political competition increasingly important.
He compared petrol prices of about ₦87 per litre before the APC administration with prices of between ₦170 and ₦190 per litre at the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, saying the product now sold for between ₦1,400 and ₦1,500 in some locations.
The figures were presented by Okere and were not independently verified at the press conference.
He argued that economic hardship affected Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or religion and urged political leaders to avoid exploiting social divisions for political advantage.
“Poverty does not recognise tribe or religion,” he said.
Okere also alleged that the 2023 presidential election was compromised and criticised what he described as a pattern of political appointments rewarding individuals perceived to have supported those in power. He did not provide evidence at the event to substantiate the claims.
The group called on INEC, the police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the military and other relevant institutions to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
It said its advocacy would remain peaceful and lawful, insisting that citizens must be able to demand accountability without resorting to violence.
“Nigeria must win before any candidate wins,” Okere said.
He urged political leaders, electoral institutions, political parties and civil society organisations to place national stability above partisan interests and work towards elections that Nigerians would consider credible.
CCND said its objective was to help protect democratic institutions and prevent political tensions surrounding the 2027 elections from escalating into a wider national crisis.