Group Critiques INEC's 2026 Electoral Guidelines

A group led by Olawal Okunniyi has expressed strong criticism of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) 2026 electoral guidelines, describing them as overregulatory and detrimental to smaller political parties. In a press statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, the group warned that if the guidelines remain unchanged, they would alienate grassroots voters and exacerbate voter apathy across Nigeria.

They acknowledged INEC's intent to improve electoral transparency, particularly regarding party primaries, but argued that the current framework fails to meet the necessary structural reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria's electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group highlighted concerns about bureaucratic operations, potential disenfranchisement of legitimate party members, and the lack of clear enforcement mechanisms within the guidelines.

They called for an urgent review of the guidelines to strengthen transparency and ensure inclusivity in the electoral process.