Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s fragile electoral system, warning that the current situation could endanger the integrity of the 2027 general elections. He made this known during a roundtable and report presentation on the state of electoral integrity in Abuja.
According to Itodo, troubling signs are already emerging. He pointed to rising political defections, disregard for the rule of law, and growing signs of institutional capture. He stressed that many politicians now treat elections as “a do-or-die affair,” which, he said, poses serious risks to democratic stability.
The report, titled State of Electoral Integrity in Nigeria, offers a mid-term review of Nigeria’s electoral landscape between the 2023 and 2027 election cycles. It recommends immediate action to safeguard the 2027 elections and rebuild public trust. Key issues raised include the need for timely electoral reform, legal protection for election technology like BVAS, and closer scrutiny of the appointment process for INEC Commissioners.
It also recommends using off-season elections to test reforms and improve voter confidence, passing pending bills that promote gender inclusion, enhancing electoral security, combating fake news, and strengthening civic education.
Itodo emphasized that only 603 days remain until the next general elections and called on the National Assembly to speed up the amendment of the electoral law and constitution. He urged lawmakers to act swiftly, saying the credibility of the elections depends on clear legal frameworks and trusted leadership within electoral institutions.
He concluded by calling on those responsible for appointing INEC officials to ensure candidates meet high standards of competence, integrity, and non-partisanship.
