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A coalition of civil society leaders under the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adjust the timeline for the 2027 general elections, warning that the current schedule could undermine fairness and credibility.
In a letter dated May 4, 2026, and submitted at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, the group, in collaboration with the Good Governance Group (GGG), requested a 90-day extension for the submission of party membership registers and the conduct of pre-primary activities.
The petition, signed by figures including the group’s Chairman, Usman Bugaje, Co-Chairperson Oby Ezekwesili, and Head, National Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, argued that recent legal disputes affecting several political parties have disrupted their internal processes.
The coalition maintained that electoral timelines should not be enforced in a way that compromises inclusivity or equal participation, stressing that the constitutional obligation to ensure fairness must take precedence over rigid adherence to schedules.
“We the undersigned write on behalf of the Movement for Credible Elections, MCE, a Pan Nigerian, Multi Stakeholders, Citizens led Coalition, comprising Leaders and Stakeholders of the Organised civil society and other prominent political organizations within Nigeria and in Diaspora MCE, in collaboration with the Good Governance Group, GGG, wishes to draw your attention to the urgent need for equitable adjustment of the timelines for the 2027 elections in line with your constitutional mandate towards safeguarding the integrity of 2027 General elections in a way that its process will not compromise and ruin the outcome of the elections and be challenged and rejected by Nigerians,” the group said.
“ We reaffirm that the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission remains central to the credibility and stability of our democracy, and we acknowledge the weight of that responsibility It is therefore within the context of constructive engagement and institutional respect that we hereby draw your urgent attention to this matter of significant constitutional, legal, and democratic importance-namely, the need for a measured and lawful adjustment of your current electoral timetable and guidelines particularly as it relates submission of party registers and the conduct of party primaries.”
Credit: MCE.
According to the group, ongoing leadership crises and court rulings have left parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party(LP) in varying states of uncertainty, limiting their ability to organise congresses, update membership registers, and prepare for primaries.
They also suggested that the commission’s regulatory approach during this period may have contributed to the challenges faced by affected parties, creating what they described as an uneven playing field.
The group argued that the constitution and electoral laws must be interpreted to promote substantive justice, noting that strict timelines should be reconsidered when they risk undermining fairness or participation.
“Of particular reference is Section 77(2), which mandates political parties to maintain and submit registers of members. Crucially, this obligation presupposes that such parties operate within a stable, legally recognised, and internally coherent framework.
“However, recent judicial developments, culminating in definitive pronouncements by the Supreme Court on internal party leadership disputes, have exposed a fundamental disruption in this assumed stability. Certain political parties, most especially the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and even Labour Party (LP), among others, have been held in prolonged legal uncertainty and circumstances that may materially impair their ability to lawfully organise congresses, update membership registers, and prepare for credible primaries.
“It is therefore our considered view that the regulatory posture adopted by INEC during this period has also contributed to their state of limbo, thereby creating an uneven operational landscape for affected parties,” it added.
They further emphasised that INEC, as a constitutional body, has the authority to exercise discretion in exceptional circumstances, including adjusting electoral timelines to reflect prevailing realities.
Credit: MCE.
The coalition said granting the requested extension would help restore balance among political parties, improve the transparency of primaries, and protect party members’ rights to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
It added that such a move would also strengthen public confidence in INEC’s neutrality, particularly at a time when perceptions of fairness in electoral administration remain under scrutiny.
“Comparative electoral practice further supports this position. Electoral management bodies globally exercise measured flexibility where rigid timelines would distort competition or undermine inclusivity. The legitimacy of elections rests not merely on adherence to schedules but on the fairness of the processes that produce outcomes. It is on this legal and moral foundation that we respectfully but firmly urge the Commission to grant a 90-day extension for the submission of party registers and related pre-primary processes.
“Such an extension is justified on multiple grounds. It restores parity among political parties by ensuring that those disadvantaged by prolonged litigation are not permanently handicapped. It enhances the credibility of the electoral process by allowing sufficient time for transparent primaries and compliance with statutory requirements. It protects the constitutional rights of party members to participate meaningfully in democratic processes. Above all, it reinforces public confidence in INEC as a neutral and fair arbiter.
“We must also candidly note that public perception of the Commission’s neutrality is under increasing scrutiny. In electoral governance, perception is inseparable from legitimacy. This moment presents an opportunity for INEC to decisively reaffirm its impartiality by demonstrating that its actions are guided not by rigid proceduralism but by constitutional fidelity and democratic fairness,” the group stated.
The group further warned that maintaining the current timetable could deepen existing inequalities, trigger further legal disputes, and potentially affect the overall credibility of the 2027 elections.
Credit: MCE.
They urged the commission to act in line with constitutional principles and democratic values, describing the proposed adjustment not as a concession but as a necessary step to ensure credible and inclusive elections.
“Mr Chairman, the issue before the Commission is not whether it possesses the authority to act-this is well within its regulatory competence-but whether it will exercise that authority in a manner that advances justice.
“The law must be applied with sensitivity to context, and where that context reveals distortion, correction becomes imperative.
“A 90-day extension is not a concession; it is a necessary recalibration to restore balance and uphold the principles upon which our democracy is founded. We respectfully urge the Commission to act decisively in this regard, thereby strengthening the credibility of the electoral process and reaffirming its commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and the rule of law. Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.”
