The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Bola Tinubu-led government against steps that can jeopardise the forthcoming election.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, T. A. Muhammad-Baba, in an interview with Leadership Newspaper, expressed concern over recent developments in the country’s electoral process, citing the INEC’s derecognisation of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by David Mark, as well as the proposed voter revalidation exercise, which are capable of undermining democratic stability.

Muhammad-Baba emphasised that such measures could erode public confidence in the electoral system, noting that they risk creating uncertainty ahead of the next general elections.

He further warned that Nigeria is already grappling with worsening insecurity and economic challenges, stressing that introducing political tension at this time could aggravate the situation.

The ACF spokesman called on the federal government, INEC and other concerned political actors to retrace their steps and stand by the principles and the tenets of democracy.

He said, “It looks like every step taken by INEC or the political authorities is putting the 2027 election into jeopardy. It is not too late, and we hope we call on the government, we call on INEC, we call on all those concerned to retrace their steps and stand by the principles and the tenets of democracy.

“Otherwise, all these things really portend a crisis, and it is not good for the country. We have enough. We have enough problems with insecurity. We have enough problems with economic hardships.”