Agbakoba Challenges INEC's Authority on Polling Results

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot prevent the publication of election results already announced at polling units. He emphasized that such a restriction would infringe upon the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

This statement follows a warning from INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan during the 24th All Nigeria Editors Conference on September 24, 2026, where he cautioned media organizations against publishing unofficial election results. In an open letter dated October 12, 2026, Agbakoba referenced a 1984 Lagos State High Court ruling that supported the media's right to publish lawfully obtained election results.

He argued that INEC's authority to declare final results does not grant it exclusive control over electoral information. Agbakoba called for public access to polling-unit result sheets and documents uploaded to INEC's Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to allow for independent verification ahead of the 2027 general elections.