The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of allowing key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, to become involved in partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over reports that a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), allegedly linked to MC Oluomo, could be used by INEC for election logistics.
The party also criticised the reported attendance of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement.
Abdullahi said the developments showed a “dangerous collapse of the boundary between the Nigerian state and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He added, “There are no longer any discernible boundaries between the Nigerian state and the ruling APC. 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.”
The ADC said that if reports about the NURTW’s involvement in election logistics were true, they could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The party stated, “INEC’s credibility depends not only on conducting free and fair elections but also on inspiring confidence among all political stakeholders.”
The opposition party also linked its concerns to President Bola Tinubu’s reported comment that “all is fair in war”, saying the remark had heightened public anxiety about the 2027 elections.
On the police, the ADC argued that senior officers must remain politically neutral, saying, “The Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people, not to any political party.”
The party called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to explain any relationship between the commission and the NURTW faction allegedly linked to MC Oluomo. It also asked the Inspector-General of Police to clarify whether the Lagos Commissioner of Police attended the City Boy Movement event with official approval.
The ADC said that if the officer attended without authorisation, disciplinary action should be taken.
However, if the appearance was officially approved, it demanded that senior police officers be allowed to attend opposition political events under the same conditions.
The party also announced plans to invite the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police to its next political event in Abuja, saying, “In the interest of fairness and equity, we fervently expect them to attend.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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