ABUJA, Nigeria — Public affairs analyst and legal practitioner Kenneth Okonkwo has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of operating as an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the commission’s actions are undermining efforts to build a credible opposition coalition in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Monday, June 9, 2025, Okonkwo dismissed claims that the nascent coalition of opposition parties is already disorganised, asserting instead that consultations are still in their early stages and focused on common principles.
“How can something be in disarray when it has not started?” Okonkwo asked.
“What we have now is common priorities. We don’t have individual differences, because the time for individual ambitions has not commenced. So we’re just talking about options that we have.”
He said that beyond the logistical and political hurdles, the biggest challenge confronting opposition forces is the perceived lack of neutrality on the part of INEC.
“With INEC as a department of APC, you know that they put unnecessary roadblocks to the opposition and engage in a lot of rough tackles,” he said, alleging that the commission’s conduct has hindered opposition figures from organising freely or registering new political parties.
Okonkwo argued that in a country governed by the rule of law, forming a new political party would have been a more strategic path for uniting the opposition.
However, he claimed INEC has demonstrated a pattern of deliberately delaying party registration processes.
“In a nation where the rule of law is guaranteed, under this kind of INEC, it would have been preferable to register a new party where everybody will move in,” he stated.
“But because INEC tends to inordinately delay what is apparent, we can’t put all our eggs in one basket.”
As a result, opposition stakeholders are reportedly now considering aligning with an already existing party that shares their democratic values.
According to Okonkwo, the objective is not just to contest the next general elections but to “build a true democratic society that respects the people’s sovereignty to choose their leaders through free, fair, and credible elections.”
He further underscored the coalition’s commitment to safeguarding civil liberties and the rule of law.
“You know how some of you (journalists) have been arrested for simply saying what should be said,” he said.
“We are envisioning a country where the judiciary is impartial, the press is free, and the rule of law reigns supreme.”
