Insecurity, rigging fears fuel doubts over INEC’s readiness

• ACF, LP, NDC question preparations, independence

• APC, Afenifere express confidence; PDP, NNPP offer qualified support

From Fred Itua, Romanus Ugwu, Ndubuisi Orji, Adesuwa Tsan, Okwe Obi, Idu Jude, Abuja; **Noah Ebije, **Kaduna; Jude Chinedu, Enugu; Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure and Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

About three months to the 2027 general elections, concerns over insecurity, funding, logistics and political interference are fuelling doubts among some political parties and regional stakeholders about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) capacity to deliver credible polls.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and some community leaders questioned aspects of the commission’s preparations and independence, warning that assurances must translate into reliable technology, timely delivery of materials and protection for voters.

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Afenifere expressed confidence in INEC’s preparations, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) offered qualified support, citing recent elections and the responsibility of politicians for the conduct of polls.

INEC has maintained that it is ready to conduct elections reflecting the will of Nigerians, with its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, assuring the public of the commission’s commitment to credible polls.

The ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, told Daily Sun that details recently released by INEC had left critical questions unanswered, “reinforcing doubts about INEC’s resolve and capacity.”

He identified the absence of a clear strategy for conducting elections in communities ravaged by banditry and terrorism as a major concern, warning that whole communities in the North could be unable to participate, resulting in “abysmally low voter turnout.”

Muhammad-Baba also questioned why funding remained an issue so close to the elections.

“Just sitting down and waiting for some magic?” he asked.

An ACF trustee, Mr Anthony Sani, said the timely release of funds should be the immediate priority.

NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osa Director, offered a different account, maintaining that INEC had been given every resource it requested and therefore had no excuse for failing to deliver a credible election.

Director nevertheless alleged “violence, intimidation, and threats to manipulate the election” by the ruling APC and urged the National Peace Committee to speak out.

APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Mr. Tooki Abimbola, dismissed fears that President Bola Tinubu would obstruct a free and fair election.

He described INEC as better positioned than at the corresponding stage of previous election cycles, while identifying funding, technology, security and open communication as areas requiring further attention.

Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Chief Kole Omololu, said the commission had no cause to fail, given the time available for preparation and its experience from off-cycle elections.

He urged Nigerians to judge INEC by the quality of its preparations rather than speculation and described Tinubu as a democrat, citing his congratulatory call to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following the governorship election.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jungudo Mohammed, also cited the Osun election as evidence that INEC had performed well.

The NNPP’s National Secretary, Mr Dipo Olayokun, argued that politicians who compromise electoral officials should bear responsibility for undermining elections.

For other respondents, however, the unresolved concerns surrounding the 2023 presidential election remained a major test of public confidence.

LP’s National Organising Secretary, Mrs Oluchi Opara, recalled that several parties, including hers, went to court over what INEC described as technical glitches.

She said these were “glitches that many Nigerians are yet to fully understand.”

An Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain, Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, alleged that electoral machines were sometimes deliberately bypassed or sabotaged to alter outcomes.

He questioned why the transportation and distribution of materials remained problematic and said Amupitan had yet to give Nigerians sufficient assurance that the commission would act impartially.

A former President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said INEC appeared prepared “on paper”, but its readiness must be demonstrated in practice.

He acknowledged the commission’s experience with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, as well as its reported preparations for procurement and recruitment.

Okaba identified three tests: whether the technical problems experienced with IReV in 2023 had been fixed and independently audited; whether electoral materials would reach riverine communities, conflict-affected areas and major cities on time; and whether ad hoc personnel would be properly trained, paid and protected from political pressure.

In his assessment, INEC’s preparedness stood at 55 per cent, with the remaining 45 per cent to be demonstrated through transparency before polling day.

He proposed live public simulations of BVAS accreditation and IReV uploads across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, early publication of a cleaned voters’ register, an Electoral Offences Commission, a joint code of conduct for security agencies and stronger civic education.

LP presidential candidate, Chibuzor Okereke, expressed confidence in INEC’s technical competence but criticised its reliance on transport unions to move sensitive electoral materials.

He said logistics failures had twice forced elections to be postponed and called for more reliable arrangements for transporting materials.

Questions about the commission’s independence also featured prominently.

LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Amupitan appeared well prepared on paper but questioned whether INEC would be allowed to exercise the independence required for a credible election.

He cited what he described as the FCT Minister’s reported declaration that he must win the FCT and Rivers State for the President “by fire and force.”

Former Social Democratic Party chairman in Plateau State, Mr. Emmanuel John Kadiya, similarly expressed doubts about whether the commission would be given a free hand.

Okaba said Tinubu’s legacy would depend partly on allowing INEC to operate independently and ensuring that threats against voters and opponents were swiftly condemned and prosecuted.

Without those safeguards, he warned, the election risked being disputed before it began.

Oji also warned of the consequences of a post-election crisis, urging INEC to restore public confidence through impartial conduct.

Okaba said citizens had responsibilities of their own in protecting the electoral process.

“Voters, too, must refuse to sell their votes or be used for violence,” he said.

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