The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) and the Big Tent of the Nigeria Citizens’ Front (NCFront) have raised the alarm over the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria may be heading towards what they described as the “revenge of the poor” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups expressed concern over persistent insecurity, worsening economic hardship and what they described as the declining strength of democratic institutions in the country.
Speaking at a briefing on the state of the nation and the 2027 elections in Lagos on Wednesday, leader of the coalition, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the level of poverty, hunger and anger among Nigerians was becoming increasingly palpable.
Utomi said the situation had been compounded by the failure of insecurity to subside and declining confidence in the judiciary and other institutions of state.
“The state of the nation revealed that we are moving to the revenge of the poor,” he declared.
“The pain, hunger and anger is so palpable. The poverty number from the World Bank is enormous. The poverty number is frightening.
“Insecurity has failed to subside. Even more troubling is political actors turning away from rational debate. Politicians are feeding fat while the masses are complaining and lamenting. Saving Nigeria has become a matter of desperation.”
The former presidential candidate also urged Nigerians to mobilise against what he described as injustice, anarchy and oppression, insisting that citizens must demand accountability from political leaders and public institutions.
He said the outcome of recent elections, including the Osun governorship election, underscored the need for citizens and civil society organisations to insist on strict adherence to electoral laws.
According to him, political impunity must end, while citizens must be prepared to challenge institutional failures through lawful democratic means.
He added that the Big Tent’s objective ahead of the 2027 elections included ensuring that voting processes were transparently monitored, including through the live streaming of polling activities.
Also speaking, the Convener of MCE, Veteran Wale Okunniyi, said the organisation had commenced efforts to build the capacity of opposition political parties and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okunniyi expressed concern that Nigeria was moving from one-party dominance towards what he described as “one-man rule”, warning that such a development posed a serious threat to democracy.
“The MCE is about to build capacity for democracy and the 2027 elections. It is to build capacity for the fragmented parties because what we have in Nigeria is one-man rule,” he said.
“What we have in Nigeria today is one-party rule that is gravitating towards one-man rule. If you look at the presidency of Nigeria, it has absolute power to do whatever.”
He said MCE would facilitate collaboration among opposition parties and other democratic forces to enable them to engage more effectively in the political process and provide a credible alternative to the ruling party.
“We are on the side of democracy, and as such we shall be facilitating and mobilising failed parties for a common front to be projected for the opposition. This way we can stabilise the polity,” Okunniyi said.
He also called for constitutional restructuring, arguing that Nigeria’s present constitutional arrangement had contributed to excessive concentration of power at the centre.
“An absolute rule by one man is dangerous for the country. Our Constitution is unitary instead of federal. We have to change that. The demon of power has gotten hold of our leaders,” he said.
Okunniyi said the groups would continue to advocate constitutional and democratic restructuring, stressing that a strong opposition was necessary for accountability and stability.
“We want to ensure that Nigeria is restructured constitutionally and democratically. As a matter of fact, it will not be in the interest of the ruling party if they have absolute power with nobody to engage them. It will become anarchical. This is pro-democracy and pro-Nigeria,” he added.