2027: ADC Raises Concerns Over INEC's Operational Plans, Lagos Police Commissioner's Attendance at APC Gathering

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The African Democratic Congress on Thursday accused the President Bola Tinubu-led government of eroding the neutrality of key democratic institutions, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force are being drawn into partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The opposition party specifically questioned reports that a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers allegedly linked to MC Oluomo would be engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission for election logistics, while also condemning the reported appearance of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement.

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ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement, described the developments as evidence of a “dangerous collapse of the boundary between the Nigerian state and the ruling All Progressives Congress.”

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According to him, the incidents raised serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and the political neutrality expected of institutions responsible for conducting elections and maintaining public order.

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“There are no longer any discernible boundaries between the Nigerian state and the ruling APC.

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“Political actors are openly infiltrating state institutions, while heads of security units who should statutorily maintain neutrality are shamelessly turning into political cheerleaders of the ruling party and the President,” Abdullahi said.

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The party expressed concern over reports that a faction of the NURTW associated with a prominent ally of Tinubu could be involved in transporting election personnel and sensitive electoral materials.

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While acknowledging that the reports had yet to be officially clarified by INEC, the ADC argued that such an arrangement, if true, would undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

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“INEC’s credibility depends not only on conducting free and fair elections but also on inspiring confidence among all political stakeholders.

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“Any logistics arrangement that potentially undermines the integrity of the electoral process because of the involvement of partisan individuals in handling sensitive materials would cast a long shadow of doubt on the credibility of the elections,” the statement read.

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The party also linked its concerns to a recent remark attributed to Tinubu that “all is fair in war,” arguing that the statement had heightened public anxiety over the conduct of the 2027 polls.

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The opposition party further criticised the reported attendance of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai, at the launch of the City Boy Movement, describing it as inconsistent with the constitutional expectation that security agencies remain politically neutral.

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“The Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people, not to any political party. Senior police officers must not only remain impartial, but they must also be seen to be impartial,” Abdullahi stated.

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It called on the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to publicly explain the nature of any engagement between the commission and the NURTW faction reportedly linked to MC Oluomo, insisting that election logistics must never become an avenue for political patronage.

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It also demanded that the Inspector-General of Police clarify whether the Lagos Commissioner of Police attended the political event with official authorisation.

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According to the ADC, “if the officer acted without approval, disciplinary measures should follow. However, if the attendance was officially sanctioned, the Inspector-General should extend the same privilege to senior police officers attending programmes organised by opposition political parties.”

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In what appeared to be a direct challenge to the police hierarchy, the ADC announced that it would formally invite the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory to its next political event in Abuja.

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“In the interest of fairness and equity, we fervently expect them to attend,” the party said.

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The party also disclosed that it would write formally to the INEC chairman demanding a detailed explanation of the reported logistics arrangement.

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The statement comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties intensifying mobilisation across the country.

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INEC has consistently maintained that it operates as an independent electoral body and has repeatedly pledged to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

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Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force has on several occasions assured Nigerians of its commitment to political neutrality during electoral processes.

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As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Nigeria Police Force had responded to the allegations raised by the ADC.

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Similarly, there was no official confirmation of the reported election logistics arrangement involving the NURTW faction or an explanation regarding the Lagos State Commissioner’s reported presence at the City Boy Movement event.

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