Stakeholders Demand Accountability for 2027 Elections

During a national dialogue on election integrity organized by FixPolitics Africa in Abuja, democracy stakeholders stressed that the credibility of Nigeria's 2027 general elections cannot be ensured by laws alone but requires collective action and accountability throughout the electoral process. Mr. Anthony Ubani, Executive Director of FixPolitics Africa, highlighted the decline in voter turnout from 53.7% in 2011 to 26.7% in 2023, attributing this to growing distrust in the electoral system.

He called for INEC to adopt full transparency and for political parties to improve their primaries. Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, identified violence and vote-buying as significant threats to the upcoming elections, while Ms. Aisha Yusuf, Founder of Citizens Hub, encouraged competent Nigerians to engage in politics.

Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani of CISLAC stated that electoral credibility is a shared responsibility, emphasizing the need for enforcement of existing laws and sanctions for violations.