INEC accused of complicity in opposition parties' crises

Nigeria's electoral process is facing renewed scrutiny as four opposition parties submitted multiple presidential candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following their primaries. The African Democratic Party (ADC), People's Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) each presented more than one candidate, with the ADC submitting three and the others two each, due to internal factionalism.

While INEC has until August 29, 2026, to finalize candidate lists, critics contend that the commission's leniency towards illegal factions holding alternative primaries implicates it in the destabilization of these parties. Although the parties themselves share blame for not resolving internal crises, INEC's perceived lack of decisive intervention is seen as biased.

Opposition figures allege that state institutions, including INEC and elements of the judiciary, are being manipulated to undermine opposition platforms and limit the political options of key figures, particularly former Anambra State governor Peter Obi. The controversy surrounding INEC's refusal to recognize the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee of the LP, and its subsequent reliance on a Supreme Court ruling after Obi's resignation, has fueled these suspicions. This has led to accusations that the disputes are less about procedural compliance and more about strategically weakening opposition movements.