The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun State has told President Bola Tinubu that any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy would be firmly resisted by the people.
Addressing journalists during a media brief at Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo on Thursday, the coalition said the country’s democratic system was currently “under vicious assault and in grave danger,” citing what it described as a pattern of anti-democratic actions under the present administration.
“We are here because democracy is under vicious assault and in grave danger in our land today,” the group declared.
The coalition accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of complicity in efforts to weaken opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), through alleged interference in its leadership structure.
It said the move against the ADC was aimed at eliminating viable opposition ahead of key elections.
It further claimed that the situation was connected to preparations for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state, which it described as crucial ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the group, the August 15 election extend beyond the state alone, it is historically pivotal to shaping national electoral outcomes, hence, the perceived strength of the ADC has made it a target for exclusion from the ballot, which it described as part of a broader plan to limit voters’ choices.
“It is a grand scheme to deny the people of Osun their legitimate democratic choices,” alleging plans to deploy federal might and suppress opposition voices.
The group also accused the All Progressives Congress of plotting to deploy “federal might,” induce voters, and intimidate the electorate in a bid to influence the process. According to the coalition, such actions are allegedly aimed at securing victory through what it termed a “grab, snatch and run” approach.
“A long list of atrocious acts against the rule of law, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, freedom of speech and association, and civil liberty is recently capped with the clear manipulation of INEC.
“Plainly, that latest doomed-to-fail affront on the rule of law and democracy is with the same intent and goal of ensuring that the President is either coronated unchallenged or again declared the ‘winner’ in an election that is not free, fair or credible,”.
The coalition warned that such actions would be resisted.
“We want to expressly state that every attempt to manipulate the Osun gubernatorial election against the will of the people will be resisted and will woefully fail,” it said.
The group also linked the alleged democratic backsliding to developments in Osun State, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the takeover of local government councils with the backing of security agencies.
“Armed with a self-serving interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgement, the APC supported by the Police, staged the forcible takeover of Osun Local Government Secretariats and Administration,” the coalition alleged.
Providing insight into the leadership dispute within the ADC, the coalition said the party’s National Executive Committee had, on May 15, 2025, empowered its then leadership under Ralph Okey Nwosu to take necessary steps toward forming a political coalition and restructuring the party.
It said the National Working Committee subsequently approved the establishment of a caretaker committee on July 2, 2025, with David Mark as Chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as Publicity Secretary.
The coalition noted that the decision was later ratified by the party’s NEC on July 29, 2025, in line with its constitution.
It, however, alleged that the crisis began after Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was present at the meetings, later opposed the decisions.
“Nafiu Bala Gombe never raised any objections to the resolutions made at the meetings but later turned coat after meeting with some officials of the state, thus precipitating the phantom crisis in ADC,” the group claimed.
The coalition further alleged that multiple court cases involving figures such as Dumebi Kachikwu and others were part of a coordinated effort to destabilise the party.
“The litigations are deliberate efforts designed to neutralise ADC and pave the way for a no-contest election,” it said.
The group also criticised INEC’s intervention in the matter, describing it as partisan.
“The INEC intervention exposed the role of the state, its organs and regrettably, the electoral umpire. What a shame!” the statement read.
The coalition urged INEC to respect established legal precedents.
“INEC should abide by the long-standing Supreme Court ruling that the internal affairs of political parties are strictly their affairs,” it added.
Reaffirming its position, the group warned that attempts to subvert democracy would not succeed.
“APC, Tinubu and INEC’s agenda on the Nigerian people, democracy, human rights and the rule of law cannot and will never stand. Nigeria will triumph, the people will prevail,” the coalition declared.
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