CAD Accuses INEC of Shielding APP As Deregistered Party, Warns of Threat to 2027 Elections

The Civic Action for Democracy (CAD) has raised what it describes as a major red flag threatening Nigeria’s democracy, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of illegally retaining a deregistered political party and colluding with corrupt actors to undermine the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a world press conference on Friday, the Executive Director of CAD, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, alleged that INEC has been involved in “a carefully orchestrated conspiracy” to keep the Action Peoples Party (APP) on its register despite its lawful deregistration in 2020 and the subsequent affirmation by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Ngoforo described the situation as “an existential threat to Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order”, insisting that the organisation has documented evidence of institutional corruption and electoral manipulation that must be urgently addressed.

CAD recalled that on February 6, 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties, including APP, for failing to meet constitutional and statutory requirements following the 2019 general elections.

Under Section 225 and 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 94 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties that fail to win legislative seats, secure 25% in a state during a presidential election, or win any local government positions are to be deregistered.

The organization noted that the Supreme Court, in March 2022, upheld INEC’s powers to deregister the affected parties, sealing their status as defunct entities.

In a startling revelation, CAD alleged that INEC fabricated a claim that APP secured a court order in 2020 preventing its deregistration.

Ngoforo said the claim was “completely false,” insisting that: No such suit was ever filed in any court, no suit number exists in any registry, no originating summons or motion was submitted, no restraining order was ever granted.

He accused unnamed INEC officials of colluding with APP owners to keep the party alive illegally, warning that the alleged act was designed to enable political actors manipulate the 2027 elections.

“It is the biggest fraud in Nigerian legal history to suggest that an interim order could remain valid for six years,” Ngoforo said.

The organisation therefore issued a set of immediate demands calling for:

“Public declaration by INEC confirming that APP was lawfully deregistered in 2020 and has no legal status.

“Immediate removal of APP from INEC’s database and exclusion from all future electoral activities.

“Release of documents related to the alleged court order or an admission that none exists.

“Identification and sanction of INEC officials involved in the alleged fraud.

“Collaboration with law enforcement to prosecute those responsible”.

CAD also urged the Office of the National Security Adviser to treat the matter as a national security threat, arguing that the alleged conspiracy could destabilize the 2027 elections.

It also called on the DSS, Police, EFCC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation to launch investigations into the financial and administrative dimensions of the case.

In addition, CAD asked the National Assembly to summon INEC leadership and initiate legislative reforms to curb institutional corruption.

Ngoforo appealed to civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, labour unions, faith-based organizations, and the Nigeria Bar Association to join the push for accountability.

He also urged international election observers and diplomatic partners to pay close attention to what he termed a “brewing crisis.”

CAD warned that failure to address the alleged illegal retention of APP could lead to severe political, economic, and security consequences.

“If this conspiracy is allowed to stand, the 2027 elections could be delegitimized, leading Nigeria into constitutional chaos,” Ngoforo said.

He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford such instability, adding that the country’s democracy “is hard-earned, precious, and fragile.”

The group concluded by insisting that the continued recognition of APP by INEC constitutes a “clear and present danger” to national security, urging Nigerians to defend the integrity of the country’s electoral process.

As at press time, effort made to reach INEC Director Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi proved abortive.