Nigeria’s opposition alliance, now operating under the name Coalition for Democracy (CFD), has called for an independent forensic audit of the national voters’ register, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is undermining fair political competition ahead of the January 16, 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Salihu Mohammed Lukman on behalf of the coalition parties, the group accused the APC of creating an electoral environment that favours the ruling party while disadvantaging opposition groups.
The coalition argued that free and credible elections cannot take place without equal political opportunities for all parties, alleging that Nigeria’s democratic space is being systematically restricted.
Formerly known as the G100 Coalition, the alliance formally adopted the name Coalition for Democracy following a decision reached by its Central Leadership Committee at a meeting in Abuja on November 4, 2026. The group said the new name reflects its commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ political rights.
With less than three months until the elections, the coalition expressed concern over what it described as the conduct of government institutions and security agencies, warning that recent developments cast doubt on whether Nigerians will be able to freely choose their leaders.
According to the coalition, opposition supporters have faced attacks in several states, including Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto and Cross River, over the past three months. It also alleged that campaign activities have been disrupted through the cancellation of hotel reservations, closure of campaign offices and removal of opposition billboards, particularly in Edo State.
The group further claimed that obtaining outdoor advertising space in the Federal Capital Territory has become prohibitively expensive for opposition parties, with reported charges reaching as high as ₦750 million.
Among other concerns, the coalition cited reports of a local government chairman allegedly warning residents to vote for the APC or leave their community.
“The APC is not just trying to win the election; it is trying to determine the conditions under which every other party must contest,” the statement said. “You cannot be a contestant and also dictate the rules for your opponents.”
The coalition also raised questions about the integrity of the voters’ register, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to comply with the deadline stipulated under Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
It pointed to reported cases of AI-generated photographs appearing in the register and the removal of more than 1.27 million records, saying the developments have heightened concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
The group questioned why no officials had been publicly identified or prosecuted over the alleged irregularities and criticised the failure to provide political parties with copies of the register for independent verification.
“The credibility of an election begins long before votes are cast,” the coalition stated. “If INEC cannot fully account for the names on the register, Nigerians may find it difficult to trust the management of election results.”
As part of its demands, the coalition called on INEC to immediately provide all registered political parties with electronic copies of both the preliminary and certified voters’ registers. It also demanded that an independent forensic audit be completed before December 15, 2026, with findings published on a state-by-state basis and any officials found culpable prosecuted.
The coalition urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure equal protection for all lawful political activities and requested that the outcomes of investigations into attacks on opposition supporters in Kaduna, Oyo and Sokoto states be made public.
It also called on state governments to stop what it described as discriminatory practices against opposition parties and to guarantee equal access to campaign venues, political offices and advertising platforms.
Emphasising the broader implications of the issue, the coalition said the matter extends beyond the interests of political parties and concerns the democratic rights of Nigerians.
“An election without genuine competition is not democracy,” the statement said. “It becomes merely an endorsement exercise rather than a meaningful democratic choice.”