Nextier Calls for Action Against Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027

Nextier has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to identify and map electoral violence flashpoints in preparation for the 2027 general election. This recommendation follows an analysis by Dr. Chukwuma Okoli and Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, which examined eight off-cycle governorship elections held since the 2023 general election.

The analysis identified four major challenges: incumbency, voter apathy, electoral violence, and vote trading, which could undermine the credibility of the upcoming polls. The states involved in the analysis are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun.

Notably, the August 2026 Osun governorship election experienced 13 violent incidents, with 10 being election-related. Vote trading was reported to account for 31.9% of electoral irregularities, with votes exchanged for amounts between ₦15,000 and ₦40,000.

The authors emphasized the need for enhanced voter education and monitoring of state resources used by incumbents, especially with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking re-election.