ADC calls for investigation of INEC and Lagos CP over pro-Tinubu activities

The African Democratic Congress on Thursday accused President Bola Tinubu's government of affecting the neutrality of important democratic bodies. They said the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force are getting involved in party politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

The opposition party raised concerns about reports that a group from the National Union of Road Transport Workers linked to MC Oluomo would assist INEC with election logistics. They also condemned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, for attending the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said these events show a dangerous mix between the Nigerian state and the ruling All Progressives Congress. He stated that these incidents threaten the credibility of the electoral process and the expected neutrality from institutions that manage elections and keep public order.

Abdullahi said, "There are no longer any clear 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 party expressed worry over claims that a faction of the NURTW linked to a close ally of President Tinubu could be involved in moving election staff and important electoral materials. While they noted that INEC has not officially clarified these reports, the ADC believes that if true, it would damage public trust in the electoral process.

"INEC's credibility depends not only on conducting free and fair elections but also on inspiring confidence among all political stakeholders. Any logistics arrangement that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process due to the involvement of party members in handling sensitive materials would cast doubt on the credibility of the elections," the statement read.

The party connected its worries to a recent comment by President Tinubu that "all is fair in war," saying this has raised public concern about the upcoming 2027 elections. They also criticized the reported attendance of Police Commissioner Fatai at the City Boy Movement launch, calling it against the expectation that security agencies should be politically neutral.

"The Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people, not to any political party. Senior police officers must not only remain impartial, they must also be seen to be impartial," Abdullahi stated.

The ADC urged INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to explain publicly any connection between the commission and the NURTW faction linked to MC Oluomo. They insisted that election logistics must not turn into a way for political favors.

They also demanded that the Inspector-General of Police clarify if the Lagos Commissioner attended the political event with official permission. According to the ADC, "If the officer acted without approval, disciplinary measures should follow. But if the attendance was officially approved, the Inspector-General should allow the same for senior police officers attending events by opposition parties."

In a move that seemed to challenge the police leadership, the ADC said they would formally invite the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory to their next political event in Abuja.

"In the interest of fairness and equity, we expect them to attend," the party added. They also mentioned they would write formally to the INEC Chairman demanding a clear explanation of the reported logistics arrangement.

This statement comes as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 elections, with political parties ramping up mobilization across the nation. INEC has repeatedly claimed it works as an independent electoral body and has promised to hold free, fair, and credible elections. Likewise, the Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians of its commitment to staying neutral during elections.

As of the time of writing this report, neither INEC nor the Nigeria Police Force has responded to the ADC's claims. There was also no official confirmation about the alleged election logistics setup involving the NURTW faction or any explanation regarding the Lagos State Commissioner’s attendance at the City Boy Movement event.