The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allowing the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, to participate as an election observer during the recent governorship election in Ekiti State.
In a statement issued in Benin City, CRPP National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, alongside the group’s secretary, Hon. Nkama Waribe, said the incident had weakened confidence in INEC’s ability to provide a fair electoral environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition argued that allowing a serving APC state chairman to wear an official INEC observer vest during the poll raised serious concerns about the independence and neutrality of the electoral body.
Isibor described the development as a “disturbing and embarrassing spectacle” that could damage public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He alleged that the incident reinforced concerns among Nigerians that key democratic institutions were being influenced by the ruling party, thereby affecting the credibility of elections.
According to him, the presence of a major political party official in an INEC observer capacity created the impression that the boundaries between the ruling party and the electoral umpire were becoming unclear.
CRPP said the situation represented a conflict of interest and demanded that INEC provide an explanation over the circumstances that led to Tenebe’s participation in the election monitoring exercise.
The group also questioned the leadership of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, accusing the commission under his watch of failing to address concerns over alleged bias and unequal treatment of political parties.
The coalition called on civil society groups, international observers, and democratic stakeholders to pay attention to what it described as warning signs within Nigeria’s electoral system.
CRPP further demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and urged that anyone found responsible for compromising electoral standards should be held accountable.
The group maintained that public confidence in elections remains essential to democracy, warning that the electoral process must not be seen as favouring any political party.
“Democracy cannot thrive where the electoral umpire is perceived as an extension of the ruling party,” Isibor stated.
