Hashim warns APC aims to weaken opposition before Nigeria 2027 poll

In mid‑January 2026, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo‑Hashim, a veteran pro‑democracy activist and presidential aspirant for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to undermine multiparty competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The politician said the APC had embarked on legal and institutional manoeuvres to hobble rival parties and predicted that voters would oust the government in 2027. He described the alleged strategy as a “one‑party agenda” and insisted that Nigeria’s multiparty system would ultimately prevail. TheCable first reported the accusations, which were later corroborated by multiple Nigerian newsrooms.

Details of Hashim’s claims

Hashim said legal and administrative actions by the APC were designed to weaken opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle. In statements reported by several Nigerian newspapers, he contended that the ruling party’s tactics ranged from court cases that tie up rival parties to selective recognition of new political groups, and he warned that these trends threatened democratic competition.

The politician cited Nigeria’s history to argue that authoritarian manoeuvres ultimately fail; he drew parallels with the dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha in the 1990s and Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zaire. According to Hashim, Nigeria’s founding fathers deliberately chose a multiparty system at independence, embedding political pluralism in the constitution, and he pledged that no group would be allowed to destroy that legacy.

Hashim also alleged that administrative decisions in the political party registration process were being applied selectively, stalling some associations while others perceived as sympathetic to the APC were granted interim recognition. He described these developments as warning signs of democratic backsliding and urged Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant. He called for lawful accountability measures including travel restrictions and asset freezes against individuals believed to be undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. Hashim concluded that democracy could only be safeguarded through transparency, accountability and strict adherence to constitutional principles.

Context: INEC’s role and election timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oversees party registration and election management in Nigeria. In October 2025 the commission reported that eight political associations had completed the first stage of registration, emphasising that the next phase would involve detailed verification to ensure compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act. INEC said the process was designed to be inclusive and transparent and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening Nigeria’s democratic culture.

On 2 January 2026 the commission issued a public notice clarifying that it had not yet released a timetable or schedule for the 2027 general election. The agency explained that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act requires INEC to publish a notice of election no later than 360 days before the poll; any purported timetable circulating on social media was therefore “false and misleading”. INEC assured the public that the official election timetable would be released in due course through its verified channels.

Following the resignation of Mahmood Yakubu, INEC’s new chairman, Joash Amupitan, outlined a reform agenda aimed at delivering world‑class, technologically driven elections. During a retreat for national commissioners in early January 2026, Amupitan said the 2027 general election should be a watershed moment for Nigeria and pledged to organise polls that are free from interference, credible and inclusive. He acknowledged the importance of early preparation and insisted that the commission would strictly adhere to the legal framework.

Government and APC responses

The allegations from Hashim and other opposition figures have prompted denials from both the government and the ruling party. On 30 December 2025 Felix Morka, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, told Channels Television that the party had no desire to turn Nigeria into a one‑party state. He argued that recent defections from opposition parties reflected individual choices rather than a coordinated plot and emphasised that political plurality was essential to democracy. Morka noted that under Nigeria’s constitutional framework it is “virtually impossible” to create a one‑party state and called concerns about such a shift “unusual and untoward”.

The Federal Government has also rejected claims of a covert plan to target opposition figures. On 31 December 2025 the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed a widely circulated document alleging that a multi‑agency task force dubbed “ADP4VIP” had been created to arrest or detain opposition politicians. Idris stated that the document was fabricated and warned Nigerians to beware of disinformation as the 2027 elections approach. The statement reiterated that the government had no plans to unlawfully arrest, detain or prosecute opposition figures and urged the public to rely on official channels for accurate information.

Why it matters

Hashim’s accusations highlight growing tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape as parties prepare for the 2027 general election. Concerns over democratic backsliding and the concentration of power have been fuelled by high‑profile defections to the ruling party and delays in registering new political associations. While the APC and the Federal Government insist there is no plan to establish a one‑party state, opposition leaders are urging vigilance and calling on the international community to monitor developments.

Meanwhile, INEC has stressed that it will follow legal procedures, emphasising transparency and inclusivity in party registration and election management. The coming months will test whether Nigeria’s electoral institutions can deliver on those commitments and maintain confidence in the country’s multiparty democracy.

Reported by The Cable.