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The Movement for Credible Elections has raised fresh concerns over what it described as the growing interference of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the internal affairs of opposition political parties, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a strongly worded statement issued on May 9, 2026, the civil society coalition accused INEC of unlawfully reinstating embattled Shehu Gabam as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party despite his reported suspension, investigation, and dismissal by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The statement, signed by James Ezema on behalf of the National Secretariat of MCE, described the development as a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions.

According to the group, the NEC of the SDP had earlier suspended and subsequently expelled Gabam following allegations bordering on financial misconduct and abuse of trust involving party funds. Following the disciplinary action, the party reportedly appointed Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as Acting National Chairman, a position the coalition said had initially received recognition from INEC.

MCE maintained that INEC officials monitored the SDP NEC meeting where the investigative report against Gabam was adopted and where Prof. Gombe emerged as acting chairman.

The coalition expressed shock that after several months of Prof. Gombe functioning in that role, Gabam’s name allegedly reappeared on the INEC portal as substantive national chairman without any publicly available court order or legal directive compelling such action.

The organization further argued that Gabam neither challenged his suspension in court nor formally responded to the allegations against him during the disciplinary process.

“His sudden reappearance on the INEC portal as national chairman has created confusion among party members and heightened public suspicion regarding the neutrality of institutions expected to safeguard democratic order,” the statement noted.

The civil society coalition also questioned the legal basis upon which INEC allegedly acted, insisting that explanations linked to a judgment involving the SDP governorship primary dispute in Ekiti State failed to justify Gabam’s reinstatement.

According to MCE, the judgment delivered by Justice Wike in the matter neither mentioned Gabam nor made any pronouncement concerning the national leadership of the SDP.

The coalition stated that neither Gabam nor INEC secured any judicial order directing his return to office after his removal by the party leadership.

Beyond the controversy surrounding the leadership dispute, the group also condemned what it described as a forceful takeover of the SDP national secretariat in Abuja.

MCE alleged that Gabam, accompanied by Hamza Al-Mustapha and security operatives, stormed the party headquarters with armed personnel and forcibly took control of the premises.

The coalition claimed that party officials and members of the SDP National Working Committee were tear-gassed and driven out of the secretariat during the operation.

It described the incident as reminiscent of authoritarian tactics associated with military rule, warning that such developments were dangerous for a democracy already facing mounting political tensions.

“The raw display of force deployed during the occupation of the SDP secretariat raises disturbing questions about the misuse of state institutions in political disputes,” the statement said.

MCE stressed that while other members of the SDP National Working Committee reportedly remained recognized on the INEC portal, Gabam had allegedly assumed control of the party structure in a manner suggesting institutional backing.

The organization warned that repeated actions perceived as targeting opposition parties could damage the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process and create fears of political manipulation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The coalition emphasized that democracy can only flourish where all political actors are treated fairly and electoral institutions maintain unquestionable neutrality.

It therefore called on INEC to immediately provide comprehensive legal and procedural clarification regarding the SDP leadership controversy in order to restore public confidence in the commission’s constitutional independence.

The group also urged the Nigerian judiciary, civil society organizations, the media, and the international democratic community to closely monitor developments capable of weakening democratic institutions in the country.

According to the coalition, Nigeria’s fragile democratic system could face severe consequences if institutions responsible for safeguarding electoral fairness become entangled in partisan controversies.

MCE maintained that preserving democratic order requires transparency, accountability, constitutional discipline, and equal treatment of all political parties irrespective of ideological or political alignment.

The statement comes amid increasing political realignments and tensions within opposition circles as preparations gradually intensify for the 2027 general elections.