The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against actions that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, following the omission of some political parties’ candidates from the list published ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation called on the electoral commission to investigate allegations that some candidates’ names were electronically removed after their parties had duly submitted them, insisting that the development required urgent clarification and transparent handling.
In a statement by its president, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, the CD expressed concern over the omission of some governorship candidates, including former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, and the party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, alongside his running mate, Alhaja Lateefat Yemi Kolapo.
According to the organisation, the affected candidates had emerged through party primaries monitored by INEC and were reportedly included in an earlier list published on August 29, 2026.
The group said the subsequent omission of the candidates without an immediate public explanation raised questions about the commission’s transparency, impartiality and preparedness for the 2027 elections.
The CD expressed particular concern over developments in Ogun State, where it alleged that some members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had repeatedly claimed that Adebutu would be disqualified from participating in the forthcoming election.
It said the subsequent exclusion of the PDP governorship candidate and his running mate from the published list, without an accompanying explanation, had heightened suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the development.
Although the organisation acknowledged that INEC later issued a clarification, it criticised the timing of the response, describing the delay as avoidable and damaging to public confidence.
“An electoral umpire must not only be independent; it must be seen to be independent,” the statement said, stressing that the publication of candidates’ lists without clear explanations for significant omissions could fuel suspicion and undermine trust in the electoral process.
The group warned that unresolved controversies surrounding the eligibility and participation of candidates could heighten political tensions in affected states and potentially threaten public peace.
It urged INEC to demonstrate its commitment to conducting a credible, transparent and inclusive election by ensuring that every decision concerning candidates complied strictly with the law and established procedures.
The CD also maintained that elections belonged to Nigerians and should not be subject to the interests of any political party, individual or governing authority.
“No institution should take actions that create the impression that opposition participation can be determined by administrative discretion without transparent, constitutional justification and due process,” the organisation stated.
The pro-democracy group further called on INEC to strengthen its public information management system to ensure prompt communication on issues capable of generating widespread public concern.
It said timely explanations were necessary to prevent misinformation, manage public expectations and reduce the risk of political tension arising from electoral controversies.
The organisation warned that it would remain vigilant in monitoring institutions responsible for managing Nigeria’s electoral process and would mobilise citizens and pro-democracy organisations for lawful civic action if it considered any development a threat to political pluralism and participatory democracy.
The CD, established in 1991, played a prominent role in the struggle for the restoration of civilian rule in Nigeria and continues to advocate the rule of law, accountability and democratic governance.
The organisation said it would continue to intervene whenever it considered developments capable of threatening Nigeria’s democratic stability, urging INEC to ensure that the 2027 general elections were conducted in a manner that strengthened public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
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