Political tensions are rising ahead of the 2027 general elections, as a coalition of opposition voices warns that Nigeria’s democracy may be edging toward a dangerous concentration of power.
Political economist Pat Utomi on Thursday cautioned that Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s incumbent president, is steering the country toward a one-man presidency, raising fresh concerns about the future of democratic competition.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Utomi accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of working in tandem to sideline opposition parties, a development he described as a drift toward authoritarian rule.
The briefing was convened by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a coalition of political actors and civil society figures, who alleged a growing alliance among INEC, the APC and elements of the judiciary aimed at excluding opposition candidates from the ballot in 2027. The group warned that such actions pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Utomi, reiterating earlier warnings, said recent developments suggest a deliberate progression toward centralised political control. “Everybody will be surprised that this is a progression towards one-man rule, not even APC rule,” he said, arguing that the current trajectory could ultimately concentrate power in the hands of a single individual.
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The coalition’s statement further alleged that electoral authorities are taking steps that could “disenfranchise and exclude legitimate presidential contestants and political parties” in the next election cycle. Central to its concerns is INEC’s recent withdrawal of recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), associated with former Senate President David Mark.
While INEC cited a Court of Appeal ruling directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, the MCE argued that the decision effectively paralysed the ADC’s internal processes at a critical political moment. The group noted that INEC had also indicated it would not monitor the party’s upcoming congresses, raising concerns about the fate of aspirants within one of the country’s major opposition platforms.
Beyond the ADC, the coalition alleged a broader pattern of interference in opposition politics, claiming that the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had similarly been weakened through what it described as coordinated actions involving electoral authorities and political actors.
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In strongly worded remarks, the group questioned INEC’s independence, alleging that the commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate and was acting in ways that could tilt the political playing field in favour of the incumbent administration.
In response, the MCE announced plans for nationwide mobilisation, including rallies and town hall meetings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, as part of what it described as a coordinated resistance to “growing despotism and electoral conspiracy.”
The coalition also called for the resignation of the INEC chairman and demanded comprehensive electoral reforms to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
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