A pro-democracy coalition group has called on the National Assembly to immediately introduce a law that would unseat any politician who abandons the party under which they were elected.
Operating under the banner of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), the group said the growing trend of defections is eroding public confidence in the political system and weakening democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by coalition members, the group stressed that only firm legal penalties—including automatic loss of seat and a fresh election—can restore political discipline.
The statement reads partly: “The coalition calls on the House of Representatives to prioritise a set of critical reforms, which include strengthening the Electoral Act to close loopholes and enhance accountability, mandating electronic transmission and real-time publication of polling-unit results on IREV.
“Tightening enforcement and penalties for electoral offences; strengthening INEC’s independence through autonomous funding and enhanced training for improved professional capacity.
“Ensuring all election disputes are concluded before swearing-in, ending pre-election judicial interference that disrupts the electoral process, making defections of elected officials to a different party other than the one for which they were elected a basis for loss of seat and fresh elections.
“The 2027 elections present a defining moment for our democracy. We must act now to rebuild public trust, strengthen institutions and protect the legitimacy of our electoral outcomes.”
The coalition, composed of civic leaders and political figures including Pat Utomi, Ayuba Wabba, Femi Falana (SAN), and Oby Ezekwesili, warned that defections, especially into the ruling APC, create perceptions of political instability and betray the will of voters.
It further called for an independent audit of INEC’s technological systems, including BVAS, IReV, and data storage, ahead of the elections.
The group also demanded greater inclusion of youths, women, persons with disabilities, diaspora voting, full internal democracy within parties, and mandatory resolution of election disputes before swearing in.
MCE pledged support for the National Assembly through public hearings and technical engagements but warned that mass citizen mobilisation would follow if lawmakers ignore these demands.
The petition was endorsed by members of the Interim Steering Council, including Utomi (chairman), Wabba (co-chairman), Bugaje, Toyo, Falana, Ezekwesili, Senator Shehu Sanni, and other notable civic and political leaders.
