By Atlantic Reports

The coalition’s Co-Convener, Mr Celestine Odo, made the call while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, expressing concern over developments in the country's political environment and their potential implications for the credibility of the forthcoming elections.

Odo said recent political realignments, internal party disputes and security challenges could have serious consequences for the 2027 electoral process.

He stressed that the pre-election period was critical to ensuring credible voting and transparent results collation.

“The political environment is marked by significant instability, security challenges, economic hardships and rising public concern over the responsiveness and accountability of democratic institutions.

“While acknowledging the constitutional right of political actors to associate and seek office, the Situation Room stresses that competitive elections require a free environment.

“This is an environment where citizens can express preferences, candidates can compete fairly and institutions enforce laws impartially,” Odo said.

Coalition Identifies Critical Electoral Challenges

Highlighting areas requiring urgent attention, Odo identified political party developments, restrictions on political competition, inflammatory rhetoric and election-related insecurity as major concerns.

He also pointed to the implementation of the 2026 Electoral Act, safeguards for transparent results management, the independence and operational preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the abuse of incumbency and public resources.

Other areas of concern included judicial decisions, election dispute resolution, disinformation, artificial intelligence, information integrity, citizen participation, inclusion and voter confidence.

The coalition further raised concerns about misinformation, manipulated media and threats to the credibility of institutions responsible for conducting elections.

Odo also highlighted challenges relating to voter access, vote buying, misuse of public resources and security, stressing the need to ensure inclusive participation, particularly among marginalised groups.

Situation Room Calls for Protection of Democratic Rights

According to Odo, the 2027 general elections present an important opportunity to strengthen Nigeria's democratic institutions and restore public confidence in electoral governance.

He warned that credible elections would remain difficult to achieve where political competition was restricted, insecurity discouraged participation, public resources were misused or electoral procedures lacked transparency.

“However, credible elections cannot emerge from an environment in which political competition is restricted, insecurity discourages participation, public resources are misused, or electoral procedures lack transparency.

“The responsibility for protecting democracy rests with all stakeholders, but public institutions have a particular obligation to uphold the constitution, enforce electoral laws and protect citizens’ democratic rights.

“We call on political leaders to demonstrate restraint, institutions to uphold their responsibilities and citizens to remain committed to peaceful democratic participation and accountability,” he said.

He emphasised that protecting the integrity of the electoral process required collective responsibility, with political leaders, electoral institutions, security agencies, judicial authorities and citizens playing important roles.

Odo said Nigeria deserved elections in which every eligible citizen could participate freely, every candidate had a fair opportunity to compete and every valid vote was accurately counted.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.