The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), led by prominent Nigerians including Femi Falana, Oby Ezekwesili, Usman Bugaje, and Pat Utomi, has instituted a lawsuit against the Federal Government, the National Assembly and the Nigeria Police over the disruption of its protest in Abuja.
The group is challenging what it described as the forceful crackdown on its demonstration at the National Assembly complex, as well as the process leading to the passage of an amended electoral law.
In a statement, the MCE accused lawmakers, working with the presidency, of rushing through what it termed “a very unpopular amended electoral act,” alleging that due process was not followed.
“The same National Assembly working in strong connivance with the Nigerian Presidency, in a most unusual rush, precipitated a very unpopular amended electoral act on the Nigerian people,” the statement said.
The group also faulted the President’s swift assent to the bill despite public opposition, describing it as “unprecedentedly racing to sign an unvetted electoral bill into law in the midst of overwhelming citizens protests.”
Explaining the legal action, the MCE said the suit seeks redress for what it considers a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights, particularly the right to peaceful assembly.
“It’s for this reason and the fact that rulers of the country eventually betrayed the trust of Nigerians in what appears as political coup d’état that the leadership of the Movement for Credible Elections resolved to challenge the legality of the forceful disruption of the peaceful assembly and the use of violence on Nigerian citizens peacefully and rightfully demanding credible electoral frameworks for the 2027 elections from their supposed representatives at the National Assembly, knowing fully well that peaceful protest is the constitutional rights of Nigerian Citizens,” the statement said.
The suit, filed on March 23, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, was initiated by Falana on behalf of the movement and affected protesters. According to the group, its Director of Publicity, Peter Akah, is the lead deponent in the case.
Beyond the courtroom, the MCE signalled plans to intensify its opposition to the amended law, announcing the rollout of zonal structures and the inauguration of strategic committees to coordinate nationwide mobilisation.
It said the initiative is aimed at “immediately embark[ing] on nationwide mobilization” and “commencing full strategic actions towards upturning the newly foisted electoral act,” with the ultimate goal of securing “the repeal and legitimate review of the unpopular electoral framework for the 2027 elections.”
