As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences its 100-day countdown to the 2027 general elections, a coalition of civil society organisations under the banner of Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI) has urged the commission to remain neutral and committed to its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
They said the regular interface between the commission and the Nigerian people is a signpost of its commitment to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
The leaders of the coalition, Nelson Ekujumi, Gbenga Soloki, Popoola Ajayi, Peter Oparah, Shola Justice Omolola, Wole Adepoju, Uche Nnadozie, Musa Ibrahim, Gbenga Omage, Kehinde Onaolapo Ogun, Leonard Obasi, Alesta Wilcox, Murphy Abadoni, in their submissions, said they have confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election in the country.
This, according to them, is based on its excellent scorecard since the 2015 general elections and in off-cycle elections since Prof Joash Amupitan assumed office in 2025.
According to the coalition, “We remain proud of INEC for the excellent manner it has been executing its constitutional mandate of conducting credible and transparent elections, notwithstanding orchestrated sinister campaign of blackmail and calumny by sour electoral losers and their agents, including mischievous and masquerading civil society and election observer organisations at every point in time in our electoral journey”.
The coalition also called on politicians to be responsible, sensitive, and civil, and to refrain from reckless and inciting statements during campaigns as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins.
They said, despite the signing of the peace accord by the political parties as organised by the National Peace Committee, “We have noted with sadness and condemn in its entirety, irresponsible, barbaric, reckless and provocative statements by some of the political actors who continue to assault public sensibilities by their uncouth and ill manners, which stand condemned”.
The CSOs called on the National Peace Committee and the security agencies to call the politicians to order, and on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to wield the big stick in accordance with the law.
The group urged the Nigerian electorate to collect their PVCs as early as possible, in line with INEC’s PVC collection schedule, so they can vote in the 2027 general elections.
“We call on the Nigerian people who are yet to collect their PVC, to take advantage of the window provided by the electoral umpire in line with the provisions of the law, to go and collect their PVCs to be able to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on election day”.
The coalition also called on the Nigerian people to be vigilant and not fall for the sugar-coated campaign slogans of political parties and politicians who promise what is at odds with logic and rationality just to curry the people’s votes at the polls.
It charged the electorate to examine every campaign promise thoroughly and painstakingly, and not to allow their votes to be swindled for immediate, temporary gain rather than long-term, enduring benefits for the collective good.