Groups Accuse INEC, APC of Undermining Electoral Credibility Ahead of 2027 Polls

CACOBAG, CDJ demand restoration of omitted candidates, review of electoral provisions

The Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG) and the Centre for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly and the judiciary to address controversies surrounding the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, the organisations alleged that the omission of candidates, disputed party-primary outcomes and restrictive membership registration requirements could undermine political participation and public confidence in the elections.

They accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu’s administration and INEC of actions they said could disadvantage opposition parties. The allegations represent the groups’ position and were not independently established by the statement.

The concerns come amid reported disputes over candidates omitted from INEC’s published lists. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for instance, has confirmed that it is engaging the commission over the exclusion of some of its candidates, including Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State and Isa Pantami in Gombe State. <Cite refs={["turn525173search1","turn525173search2"]}/>

Disputed nominations and candidate omissions

The groups cited cases involving candidates from several political parties, including the PDP, NDC, ADC, NNPP, Labour Party, APM and ADP, arguing that the controversy extends beyond a single party.

They also alleged irregularities in the APC’s handling of its primaries in Lagos State, specifically citing Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, whom they said won the party’s primary for Agege Constituency I with 9,132 votes but was subsequently replaced. They further alleged similar impositions in Alimosho and Ikeja.

CACOBAG and CDJ called for the publication of primary-election results and video recordings held by INEC, arguing that these records would help establish whether the nominations and subsequent substitutions complied with the law.

However, the reasons for individual omissions and the circumstances surrounding the disputed nominations must be assessed against INEC’s records, relevant court decisions and responses from the political parties concerned.

Electoral law and membership registration

The organisations also challenged provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing party membership registers and participation in primaries.

Section 77(5) of the Act provides that only party members whose names appear on a membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention may participate in the exercise. Related provisions restrict the use of alternative registers and prescribe consequences for failure to submit the required register. <Cite refs={["turn525173search2","turn525173search4"]}/>

The groups argued that these requirements could exclude prospective party members, particularly those facing barriers to digital access, registration costs and verification procedures. They also criticised INEC’s reported online registration policy, saying it could disproportionately affect low-income citizens.

Their objections come despite a September 2026 Supreme Court decision upholding the challenged statutory membership-register provisions. The organisations maintained that the provisions should nevertheless be reviewed, arguing that they could restrict internal party democracy and political participation. <Cite refs={["turn525173search2","turn525173search3"]}/>

Calls for transparency and accountability

The groups accused INEC of inconsistency in its handling of candidate nominations and qualification-related complaints. They urged the commission to explain the basis for disputed omissions and substitutions and to apply electoral rules transparently across all political parties.

They also criticised provisions they said could restrict post-election challenges involving alleged certificate forgery, falsification, impersonation and perjury, arguing that electoral timelines should not shield criminal conduct from lawful investigation.

The statement urged the National Assembly to reconsider provisions the organisations consider restrictive and called on the judiciary to ensure that electoral disputes are resolved in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.

CACOBAG and CDJ appealed to pro-democracy and civil society organisations, including the United Action for Democracy, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, SERAP, CISLAC and Transition Monitoring Group, to engage the issues. They also called on the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to defend democratic participation.

Four demands

The organisations presented four principal demands:

1. Restoration of candidates: INEC should restore candidates whom the groups believe were validly nominated but unlawfully excluded.
2. Publication of records: The commission should release results and video recordings of monitored party primaries, particularly the Labour Party primaries in Lagos State.
3. Review of electoral provisions: The National Assembly should repeal or amend provisions the groups consider restrictive of party membership and judicial scrutiny of alleged certificate forgery.
4. Judicial protection: Courts should scrutinise disputed candidate substitutions and ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements.

The statement was signed by CACOBAG Chairman, Prince Toyin Raheem; the organisation’s Publicity Secretary, Pastor Olutola Folorunsho; and CDJ Acting Secretary, Comrade Bello Bello.

The groups said their intervention was not intended to endorse any political party or candidate but to protect the right of Nigerians to make their electoral choices freely.

They warned that unresolved disputes over nominations, membership registration and the application of electoral laws could weaken confidence in the 2027 elections, urging electoral authorities and political parties to address the controversies through transparent and lawful procedures.