Get Guardian on Google…Opposition bloc alleges attacks on supporters, denial of campaign venues, irregularities in voters’ register
The Coalition for Democracy, a coalition of opposition parties, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space and creating an electoral environment that favours the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition also raised concerns over alleged attacks on opposition supporters, restrictions on campaign activities and irregularities in the voters’ register, warning that these developments could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after a meeting of its Central Leadership Committee (CLC) in Abuja, the coalition said government institutions and security agencies were raising questions about whether Nigerians would be allowed to freely choose their leaders.
The committee said it had formally adopted the name Coalition for Democracy, replacing its former name, G100 Coalition. The opposition bloc was formed after its first summit on August 31, 2026, in Abuja, with a commitment to defending constitutional democracy, the rule of law and Nigerians’ fundamental political rights.
It expressed concern that, with barely 72 days to the January 16 elections, opposition parties were allegedly facing increasing restrictions and intimidation.
According to the coalition, opposition supporters had been attacked in Kaduna, ambushed in Ibadan and attacked in Sokoto and Cross River states within the preceding 90 days.
It also alleged that hotels booked for opposition delegates had cancelled reservations, campaign offices had been sealed, and opposition billboards had been pulled down in Edo State while those belonging to the ruling party remained untouched.
The coalition further claimed that opposition parties in the Federal Capital Territory had faced charges of up to N750 million for outdoor advertising.
It cited an incident in which a local government chairman reportedly told residents to vote for the APC or leave their community, describing the development as evidence of growing political intolerance.
“The APC is not just trying to win the election. It is trying to decide the conditions under which everybody else must contest it,” the committee said.
It argued that a ruling party could not claim ownership of democratic institutions or determine the rules governing its political opponents.
The coalition also questioned the integrity of the voters’ register, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to meet the statutory deadline prescribed by Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
It said reports of artificial intelligence-generated photographs allegedly inserted into the register by INEC registration officers, alongside the removal of more than 1.27 million records, had heightened concerns about the commission’s preparedness and credibility.
The committee questioned why no officials had been publicly identified or prosecuted over the alleged irregularities and why political parties had not received copies of the register for independent scrutiny.
“The credibility of an election begins long before the first ballot is cast. If INEC cannot account for the names on its register, how can Nigerians trust it to account for the votes in its custody?” it asked.
The coalition demanded that INEC immediately provide all registered political parties with electronic copies of the preliminary voters’ register and subsequently the certified register.
It also called for an independent forensic audit of the register to be completed before December 15, with the findings published state by state and all officials found culpable brought to justice.
On security, the opposition bloc urged the Inspector-General of Police to guarantee equal protection for all lawful political activities in line with Section 83 of the Police Act 2020.
It also demanded the public disclosure of investigations into attacks on opposition supporters in Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
The committee further called on state governments to end what it described as discriminatory restrictions on campaign venues, political offices and advertising spaces, insisting that all political parties must operate under the same publicly established rules.
“We are not asking for privileges. We are demanding the protection of rights that already belong to us under the Constitution,” it said.
The coalition maintained that the law must apply equally to the ruling party and opposition groups, warning that selective enforcement could undermine democratic competition.
It said the alleged abuses could still be addressed before January 16, urging relevant authorities to take immediate corrective measures.
“Seventy-two days is enough time to correct these abuses. It is also enough time to establish whether those responsible are interested in a credible election or merely the appearance of one,” the statement added.
The opposition bloc called on civil society organisations, the media, international partners and Nigerians committed to democracy to remain vigilant and demand accountability from institutions responsible for protecting the electoral process.
It stressed that the issue went beyond the political survival of opposition parties, arguing that restrictions on their activities would also deny citizens the opportunity to make meaningful electoral choices.
“An election without genuine competition is not democracy. It is an endorsement ceremony,” the coalition said.
The statement was signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the coalition parties.
