Ahead of the 2027 general elections, key stakeholders have raised the alarm over attempts by ruling political elites to compromise the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), potentially undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking at a conference of thought leaders on civic space, poverty, and elections in Nigeria, held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, renowned political scientist Prof. Adele Jinadu alleged that plans were underway to “invade” INEC through the appointment of partisan loyalists to key positions.
Jinadu, a former commissioner with the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), warned that the ruling class was seeking to capture INEC as part of a broader state capture strategy. He claimed that the National Assembly had become complicit by rubber-stamping partisan nominees from the executive branch.
“There is a tendency for the political class to control the electoral body by installing party sympathisers. In the next 7 to 8 months, we must be alert to such moves,” Jinadu said.
He pointed out that many current INEC commissioners would soon complete their terms, giving the ruling party a chance to replace them with loyalists. “The power to reappoint is also the power to remove,” he added. “And if that happens unchecked, it could spell disaster for the integrity of the 2027 elections.”
Jinadu drew parallels with Nigeria’s troubled 1964–65 elections, warning that a similar manipulation of electoral institutions could push the country into political crisis. “We must avoid the mistake of putting partisan politicians in INEC. If such appointments are made, the only response should be mass protest, not court challenges,” he insisted.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, urged citizens to defend their votes at the ballot box. He lamented that despite multiple amendments to the Electoral Act since 1999, politicians continued to undermine democratic processes.
In her remarks, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), criticised the persistent exclusion of women, youths, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups from governance.
Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Monday Osasah, said the conference aimed to strengthen democratic governance, social protection, and electoral integrity.
“We believe that by working together, we can build a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable democracy that truly serves the needs of all Nigerians,” Osasah said. “Despite the current challenges — shrinking civic space, deepening poverty, and electoral malpractice — there is still hope for reform and positive change.”
