A coalition of civil society organisations on the aegis of ‘Concerned Citizens for Nigerian Democracy (CCND)’, has raised serious concerns over what it described as disturbing signals pointing to alleged political partisanship by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CCND said the development could seriously undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections and plunge Nigeria into political crisis.
It therefore urged the INEC to as a matter of national concerns investigate allegations of political affiliations among some of its electoral personnel.
CCND also called on the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee all political parties of equal access to campaign venues.
The convener of the CCND, Mr. Kingdom Okere Esq., who expressed the fears and position of the coalition at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, with the theme; “Rescuing Nigeria from Sliding into Another Civil War,” stressed that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depended on the ability of state institutions to conduct credible elections and protect the rights of political parties and candidates.
Okere said it is more about survival than anything else and warned that democracy must not die in our hands.
The CCND also expressed concern over what it described as “the declining public confidence” in the electoral process, worsening economic hardship and growing insecurity” which it emphasized could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
The coalition stated that its central concern, remains the neutrality of institutions responsible for conducting elections and maintaining law and order.
In the words of Okere; “Questions have arisen over the political affiliations of some INEC personnel, particularly those working in sensitive information technology and election-monitoring departments”.
CCND also questioned the political neutrality of some recently recruited ad hoc electoral staff and therefore urged INEC to ensure that recruitment and deployment processes were transparent and free from partisan considerations.
Okere further said; “INEC must remain independent and conduct free, fair and credible elections in January 2027”.
Turning its searchlight to security agencies, CCND specifically demanded explanation from the Nigeria Police over an alleged attempt to frustrate a political campaign at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
It stated that 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, adding that the deployment was intended to frustrate the gathering, a development that forced the supporters to relocate to be able to continued their activities.
CCND appealed that security agencies should provide protection for lawful political activities rather than create conditions that could discourage opposition parties from campaigning.
It stressed that the provisions of the Constitution guaranteed freedom of expression and association, while Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2026, stipulated that political parties should enjoy equal treatment during campaigns.
Accordingly; CCND called on Commissioners of police across the country to ensure that no candidate was denied the opportunity to campaign because of political affiliation.
In the words of Okere; “Every police commissioner, including the FCT Commissioner of Police, must provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates”.
Speaking in turn, a co-convener of the CCND, Michael Ademofe, said Nigeria could face serious consequences if growing public distrust in elections was not addressed before the 2027 polls.
Ademofe stated that CCND which is a non-partisan citizens’ movement incorporated in the United States, with members across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and in the diaspora, believed that political authority must derive from the people through free, fair and credible elections.
He said that increasing voter disengagement and the possibility of citizens rejecting results they consider manipulated could create a volatile atmosphere, particularly amid economic hardship and insecurity.
Ademofe noted that the violence that followed the 2011 general elections, when more than 800 people were reportedly killed, should serve as a warning about the potential consequences of disputed elections.
Ademofe said the CCND had submitted a request to INEC under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking information on aspects of the electoral process.
The CCND 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; “Citizens must be able to demand accountability without resorting to violence. Nigeria must win before any candidate wins. Political leaders, electoral institutions, political parties and civil society organisations should place national stability above partisan interests and work towards elections that Nigerians would consider credible”.
The CCND insisted that its main objective was to help protect democratic institutions as well as prevent political tensions enveloping the 2027 elections from escalating into a wider national crisis.
