Rufai Oseni has alleged that a legal challenge against the NDC was orchestrated to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections
Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni has alleged that a legal challenge against the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was orchestrated as part of a wider attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Oseni made the claim during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Monday, 29 June 2026, where he questioned the timing of a lawsuit challenging the party’s registration shortly after political developments involving prominent opposition figures.
He noted that Peter Obi reportedly joined the NDC on 3 May 2026, while the legal action seeking to nullify the party’s registration was filed two days later, on 5 May 2026, by what he described as a “faceless group.”
According to him, the sequence of events raises concerns about a possible pattern of coordinated legal actions targeting opposition parties.
“The case was filed on the 5th of May in court. A lot of people have not even scrutinised that part,” Oseni said during the programme.
He argued that similar disputes involving opposition parties in recent months suggest a recurring trend, although he did not provide documentary evidence to support the allegation.
Oseni also referenced previous court developments involving other political parties, claiming that such cases point to a broader attempt to influence the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite administrative processes required for political parties to meet registration and documentation requirements, warning that delays could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
“If you are confident, let opposition into the race. Don’t hold them back,” he said, adding that perceptions of exclusion could damage trust in the democratic process.
Oseni further cautioned that unresolved disputes around party registration and court rulings could become a recurring theme in the build-up to the 2027 elections, potentially shaping public narratives around fairness and transparency.
He called for greater openness in electoral administration, insisting that political competition must be allowed to proceed without interference.
The allegations add to ongoing political debates surrounding opposition realignments, party registrations and legal disputes as Nigeria moves closer to what is expected to be a highly contested 2027 general election cycle.
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The INEC and relevant judicial authorities have not issued a response to the claims at the time of filing this report.
