…Vow to resist attempt to subvert Nigeria’s democracy

The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun State has warned President Bola Tinubu that any efforts to weaken Nigeria’s democracy will be strongly opposed by the people.

Speaking at a media briefing in Osogbo on Thursday, the coalition, including Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Centre For Philosophy And Ideology, Social Economic and Civil Rights Advocacy, Good Governance Initiative, Youths for Better Nigeria and the Centre for Accountability & Democracy, said it convened the press conference because democracy in Nigeria is facing an unprecedented threat.

The Coalition’s spokesperson, Yaya Ademola, said the country’s democratic system was currently “under vicious assault and in grave danger,” citing what it described as a pattern of anti-democratic actions under the present administration.

The coalition accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of complicity in efforts to weaken opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), through alleged interference in its leadership structure.

It said the move against the ADC was aimed at eliminating viable opposition ahead of key elections.

It further claimed that the situation was connected to preparations for the August 15, 2026, governorship election in the state, which it described as crucial ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the group, the August 15 election extends beyond the state alone, it is historically pivotal to shaping national electoral outcomes, hence, the perceived strength of the ADC has made it a target for exclusion from the ballot, which it described as part of a broader plan to limit voters’ choices.

“It is a grand scheme to deny the people of Osun their legitimate democratic choices,” alleging plans to deploy federal might and suppress opposition voices.

The group also accused the All Progressives Congress of plotting to deploy “federal might,” induce voters, and intimidate the electorate in a bid to influence the process. According to the coalition, such actions are allegedly aimed at securing victory through what it termed a “grab, snatch and run” approach.

“A long list of atrocious acts against the rule of law, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, freedom of speech and association, and civil liberty is recently capped with the clear manipulation of INEC.

“Plainly, that latest doomed-to-fail affront on the rule of law and democracy is with the same intent and goal of ensuring that the President is either coronated unchallenged or again declared the ‘winner’ in an election that is not free, fair or credible,”.

The coalition warned that such actions would be resisted.