Nigeria's Elections Face Credibility Crisis Amid Rigged Primaries

The upcoming elections in Nigeria are under scrutiny due to the outcomes of recent political party primaries, which have raised concerns about their credibility. Yiaga Africa, a civic organization focused on promoting democracy, stated that the electoral process is weak and has not earned the trust of the people.

They highlighted that 76% of Nigerians believe their vote can influence outcomes, yet many are disillusioned by the political culture that treats citizens as commodities. The organization pointed out four main issues affecting the elections: insecurity impacting voter access, a lack of a credible legal framework, the quality of candidates emerging from primaries, and a significant trust deficit, with only 45% of Nigerians expressing confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, followed by state assembly elections on February 6, 2027. Yiaga Africa argues that credible elections cannot emerge from rigged primaries and calls for reforms to restore public trust in the electoral process.