A coalition of civil society organizations under the banner of Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI) rising from an emergency meeting on the state of the nation over the weekend, have applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the public launch of it’s 100 days countdown to the 2026 general elections and the regular interface with the Nigerian people which is a signpost of it’s commitment to conduct a free, free, transparent and credible election.
According to the press release made available to the media on Sunday 11th October 2026 and signed by it’s leaders, the coalition stated, “Our confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election remains firm and unshaken given it’s excellent scorecard since the 2015 general elections and in off cycle elections since the assumption into office of Prof Joash Amupitan in 2025”.
“We remain proud of INEC for the excellent manner it has been executing it’s constitutional mandate of conducting credible and transparent elections, notwithstanding orchestrated sinister campaign of blackmail and calumny by sour electoral losers and their agents including mischievous and masquerading civil society and election observer organizations at every point in time in our electoral journey”.
As we countdown with INEC and the Nigerian people to the 2027 general elections, we call on it to remain neutral, professional, determined, focused and committed to it’s constitutional mandate of the conduct of free, fair, transparent and credible elections like it has always done.
The coalition also used the occasion of the press statement to commiserate with the federal government and people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the deceased Airforce personnel who lost their lives in the unfortunate and sad air crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government council area of Ondo State on the 5th of October 2026.
According to the group, “We are saddened and pained by the unfortunate Nigerian Airforce plane crash which led to the loss of lives of 25 personnel comprising crew members and passengers”. “Our condolences to Mr President and the Commander in Chief, the Nigerian people, the Nigerian Airforce and the immediate and extended families of the deceased, we pray for the repose of their souls and the fortitude for the families to bear the irreparable loss”.
“We hereby call on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to ensure that a thorough and professional investigation of the immediate and remote cause of the crash is conducted to establish the facts of this crash in order to prevent a reoccurrence”.
CONDEMNATION OF FOUL LANGUAGE
The coalition also used the occasion to call on our politicians to be responsible, sensitive, civil and refrain from reckless and inciting statements in campaigns as we countdown to the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
According to the group, despite the signing of the peace accord by the political parties as organized by the National Peace Committee, “We have noted with sadness and condemn in it’s entirety, irresponsible, barbaric, reckless and provocative statements by some of the political actors who continue to assault public sensibilities by their uncouth and ill manners which stands condemned”.
The group called on the National Peace Committee and the security agencies to call the politicians to order and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to wield the big stick according to law.
ADMONITION TO THE ELECTORATE ON PVC
The group charged the Nigerian electorate to go out and collect their PVC as early as possible in line with the schedule for the collection of PVC by INEC, so as to be able to vote in the 2027 general elections. “We call on the Nigerian people who are yet to collect their PVC, to take advantage of the window provided by the electoral umpire in line with the provisions of the law, to go and collect their PVCs to be able to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on election day”.
The coalition equally call on the Nigerian people to be vigilant and not fall for the sugar coated campaign slogans of political parties and politicians who are promising what is at variance to logic and rationality just to curry the peoples votes at the polls. “It charged the electorate to examine every campaign promises thoroughly and painstakingly and not allow their votes to be swindled for immediate and temporary gain rather than long time and enduring benefits for the collective good”.
As we countdown in the campaign season and forthcoming 2027 general elections, the Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI), wishes to admonish all the stakeholders in our democratic system, to play by the rules, just as we assure that we will diligently and professionally observe and monitor the process and give our perspective to issues in order to educate, inform and set the records straight.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
E- signed.
1. Nelson Ekujumi
2. Gbenga Soloki
3. Popoola Ajayi
4. Peter Oparah
5. Shola Justice Omolola
6. Wole Adepoju
7. Uche Nnadozie
8. Musa Ibrahim
9. Gbenga Omage
10. Kehinde Onaolapo Ogun
11. Leonard Obasi
12. Alesta Wilcox
13. Murphy Abadoni
