Opposition party raises concerns over alleged election logistics and police neutrality, urging electoral and security institutions to clarify their roles before the 2027 polls

Feature Image Alt Text: ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi addressing concerns over INEC and police neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The African Democratic Congress has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of undermining the neutrality of Nigeria’s 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.

The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who described recent developments as a dangerous erosion of the constitutional independence expected of electoral and security institutions.

The opposition party questioned reports alleging that a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers associated with MC Oluomo could be engaged by INEC to transport election personnel and sensitive materials during future elections.

The ADC also criticised the reported appearance of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement, arguing that such participation risks weakening public confidence in the political neutrality of the police.

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

“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.”

While acknowledging that the reported logistics arrangement had not been officially confirmed by INEC, the party argued that any involvement of politically affiliated organisations in handling election materials would cast doubt on the credibility of future elections.

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

The ADC said it was particularly concerned because of what it described as increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 polls, adding that recent remarks attributed to President Tinubu that “all is fair in war” had heightened public anxiety over the conduct of the elections.

The party called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to publicly clarify whether the electoral commission had any arrangement with the NURTW faction reportedly linked to MC Oluomo, insisting that election logistics should never become a channel for political patronage.

It also urged the Inspector-General of Police to explain whether Lagos Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai attended the City Boy Movement event with official approval.

According to the ADC, if the commissioner acted without authorisation, disciplinary measures should follow.

However, if the attendance was officially sanctioned, the party argued that senior police officers should equally be permitted to attend programmes organised by opposition parties.

In what appeared to be a symbolic challenge, the ADC announced plans to invite both the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory to its next political event in Abuja.

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

The party also disclosed that it would formally write to INEC seeking a detailed explanation regarding the reported logistics arrangement.

The latest criticism comes as political parties intensify mobilisation and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Questions surrounding the independence of electoral institutions have remained a recurring feature of Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly after previous elections that attracted legal challenges and public debate over transparency.

INEC has consistently maintained that it operates independently and remains committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections. Likewise, the Nigeria Police Force has repeatedly assured Nigerians that it will remain politically neutral during electoral processes.

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

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There was also no official confirmation regarding the reported logistics arrangement involving the NURTW faction or any clarification concerning the Lagos State Commissioner’s reported attendance at the political event.