Nigerians Urged to Protect Votes for 2027 Elections

Rights experts have called on Nigerians to actively protect their votes in the upcoming 2027 general elections by standing against intimidation, combating voter apathy, and rejecting vote-buying. Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and Abideen Olasupo, chairman of the BallotEyes and Truth Guard Election Working Group, shared their insights in separate interviews with Sunday Tribune.

They referenced the recent Osun State governorship election as a demonstration of how citizen vigilance can prevent rigging and manipulation of election results. Rafsanjani noted the determination of Osun voters, emphasizing that their commitment to defending their votes is a crucial lesson for future elections.

Olasupo added that voters' insistence on remaining until results are counted minimizes manipulation risks. Both experts warned against vote-buying, with Rafsanjani stating that selling a vote for “₦5,000 or ₦10,000” compromises four years of accountability for a one-time payment, while Olasupo remarked that those who buy votes do not intend to serve the voters.