Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji Nebo, has expressed deep skepticism about the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) ability to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria’s 2027 general polls. Speaking candidly, Nebo criticized the current INEC leadership, describing it as corrupt and incapable of upholding the will of the Nigerian people in the upcoming elections.
INEC’s Credibility in Question
Nebo argued that the current INEC has not learned from past mistakes, particularly the 2023 elections, where he noted inconsistencies in the transmission of results. He highlighted that while the senatorial and House of Representatives elections experienced no glitches, the presidential election transmission was fraught with problems, suggesting a compromised institution. This, he said, has led to a loss of public trust and confidence in the electoral body.
He warned that unless significant reforms are implemented-such as laws mandating the direct upload of election results from polling units to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal without alteration-the 2027 elections are "a foregone conclusion" favoring the ruling party. Nebo described the truncation of the people's will during elections as an "electoral coup d’etat," a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Political Context and Corruption Concerns
Nebo also shared his political stance, revealing a long-standing sympathy for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), though he has been critical of both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused the APC of glorifying corruption and embedding it deeply into Nigeria’s political and civil service systems, making it worse than the corruption seen during PDP’s tenure. He lamented that about 40 kobo of every naira budgeted is lost to corruption, undermining national development.
He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for nepotism and tribalism, noting that appointments have disproportionately favored the Southwest region. Despite Tinubu’s impacts, Nebo warned that the opposition must be united and strong at the grassroots to prevent electoral manipulation in 2027.
Calls for Vigilance and Reform
The concern about INEC’s independence and impartiality is shared by other stakeholders. Ahead of the 2027 elections, experts and civil society leaders have warned against the hijacking of INEC by ruling elites who may attempt to appoint partisan loyalists to key positions, thereby compromising the commission’s neutrality. Prof. Adele Jinadu, a former electoral commissioner, cautioned that the National Assembly might rubber-stamp such partisan appointments, urging Nigerians and civil society to be vigilant and resist any such moves through mass protests rather than relying solely on courts.
Other experts have called for structural reforms within INEC, including unbundling the commission into specialized entities to handle election offenses, political party conduct, and voter education separately. This, they argue, would enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the electoral process. Additionally, there are calls for more polling units to make voting more accessible and for the recruitment of personnel with relevant academic backgrounds to reduce election malpractice born out of ignorance.
The Road Ahead
The general consensus among political analysts and activists is that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture. Without comprehensive electoral reforms and an independent, transparent INEC, the 2027 elections risk being neither free nor fair. The opposition’s ability to mobilize and secure a decisive margin is seen as crucial to preventing electoral manipulation.
Nebo’s warning reflects a broader anxiety about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and the need for urgent reforms to restore public confidence and safeguard democratic governance.
