INEC to Investigate Allegations Against Lecturers for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it will verify allegations of partisanship against university lecturers who may serve as electoral officials for the 2027 general elections. Mrs. Victoria Ita-Messi, the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, made this statement during a discussion with LEADERSHIP, responding to concerns about lecturers who have publicly supported political candidates.

This announcement followed an interactive session led by Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, in Kaduna, which included senior academics and political officials assessing the Tinubu administration's performance. Ita-Messi emphasized that engaging lecturers is a policy of INEC and that any allegations will be thoroughly examined.

Concerns were raised by opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, regarding the suitability of these lecturers for electoral roles. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also expressed worries about recruiting openly partisan lecturers for sensitive electoral duties, urging INEC to establish clear selection criteria.