2027: Utomi, MCE alleges plan to exclude opposition

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 under serious threat.

The position was made known on Thursday at a press conference in Victoria Island, Lagos, addressed by Pat Utomi, the group leader, 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 disturbed by the emerging alliance between the APC, a section of the Nigerian judiciary and INEC, describing it as an unethical combo poised to disenfranchise and exclude legitimate presidential contestants and political parties from the 2027 ballot.

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, as evidence of what he called a broader plot against opposition parties.

“The statement by INEC withdrawing recognition of the ADC leadership is a malicious attempt to decapitate the party and the opposition in general, to ensure that none of the leading presidential aspirants gets on the ballot in 2027,” Utomi said.

He further faulted INEC’s reliance on a Court of Appeal order, arguing that the commission had misapplied the directive.

“INEC claimed to rely on a Court of Appeal order directing that status quo be maintained, but went ahead to unleash institutional banditry on the ADC by refusing to recognise communications from the party at this crucial stage,” he added.

The group also alleged a pattern of interference in opposition parties, citing developments in the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We have witnessed how INEC, in conjunction with a section of the judiciary and agents of the Tinubu government, emasculated the Labour Party and later destabilised the PDP as part of a contrived agenda to impose one-man rule on Nigeria,” he stated.

Raising alarm over what it described as a growing electoral conspiracy, the MCE warned that INEC’s actions could erode multi-party democracy.

“INEC, as presently 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 contestant in 2027,” Utomi said.

The group called on Nigerians to resist what it termed a drift toward authoritarianism and announced plans for nationwide mobilisation.

“As the vanguard of the popular aspiration for credible elections, we will launch a nationwide mobilisation for coordinated mass resistance to growing despotism and electoral conspiracy,” he said.

MCE also demanded the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman and his team, insisting that their continued stay in office undermines public confidence in the electoral process.

“We call for the immediate resignation of the current INEC chairman and his team, who have become errand boys of the Tinubu administration,” the group declared.

The movement outlined plans for zonal rallies across the country, culminating in a national convergence in Abuja, as part of efforts to push for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.

In conclusion, the group maintained its rejection of what it described as electoral manipulation.

“We reject INEC’s electoral banditry on the opposition and multi-party democracy in Nigeria. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to resist this plot to entrench one-man rule and demand comprehensive electoral reforms that will guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2027,” Utomi said.

The statement was signed by a coalition of civil society leaders and political actors, including Dr. Usman Bugaje, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Hajia Bilikisu Magoro, among others.