Nigerian lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are working to undermine Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Farotimi made the claim in a post shared on the social media platform X on Wednesday night, sparking fresh debate about the state of Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the next electoral cycle.
According to him, while opposition parties are actively preparing to contest in the forthcoming elections, certain key institutions and actors appear to be positioning for a predetermined outcome.
“The opposition are preparing for an election, INEC, the judiciary, and Tinubu are prepping for a coronation,” Farotimi wrote.
His comments add to a growing wave of criticism from opposition figures and political commentators, many of whom have recently expressed concern about developments within Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems.
The remarks come shortly after INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.
In addition, the electoral body stated that it would not recognise any factions within the party, nor monitor conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders. The move has intensified internal tensions within the ADC and drawn reactions from several political stakeholders.
Farotimi’s allegations reflect broader anxieties among sections of the political class regarding the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Critics argue that recent actions by regulatory and judicial bodies could have significant implications for political competition and electoral transparency.
While there has been no official response from the presidency, INEC, or the judiciary regarding Farotimi’s claims, the statements are likely to further heighten political discourse as the country gradually approaches the 2027 general elections.
Observers note that the coming months may prove critical in shaping public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly as opposition parties continue to reorganise and position themselves for what is expected to be a highly contested electoral cycle.
