Barely months to the 2027 general elections, political and civil society stakeholders have raised fresh concerns over the credibility of the polls, warning that political manipulation, intimidation, violence and institutional weaknesses could further erode Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, warned that Nigeria’s democracy was at a crossroads ahead of the elections, citing threats of political violence, disputed party primaries, weak electoral credibility and declining judicial integrity.
Falana spoke while chairing the Bishop Mike Okonkwo yearly birthday lecture, titled “Democracy at the Crossroads: Electoral Credibility, Judicial Integrity and the Future of Nigeria,” held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the 2027 elections presented a rare opportunity for Nigerians to make a crucial decision about the future of the country.
He described elections as the foundation of democracy and stressed that citizens had the right to participate freely and peacefully without fear, intimidation or threats.
Falana noted that disputes arising from elections were ultimately determined by election petition tribunals and the courts.
He, however, pointed to the recently concluded governorship elections in Anambra and Ekiti states as examples of credible polls, noting that no petitions were filed by candidates who lost the elections.
He also said the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the result of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State and congratulate the winner indicated that the result was unlikely to be challenged at the tribunal.
According to him, such developments showed that when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts credible elections, the electorate, rather than judges, determines the outcome.
Falana called on Nigerians to ensure the complete autonomy of INEC, while expressing concern over threats of violence by political actors.
He warned that unless those behind electoral violence were prosecuted, the country would continue to witness violence during subsequent elections.
The human rights lawyer also cited allegations by former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, that some politicians resort to extreme and dangerous practices in their desperation to acquire political power.
Falana said the government must also intensify efforts to end the killing of unarmed citizens by terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers and other gunmen.
He criticised calls by some Nigerian political leaders for United States President Donald Trump to monitor the 2027 elections to prevent rigging, arguing that Trump was not qualified to “save democracy” in another country.
Falana further stressed that democracy went beyond elections, saying it also involved accountable leadership, public service, welfare and the security of citizens.
He urged the police and anti-graft agencies to intensify the fight against vote buying, suggesting that funds being used to induce voters should instead be channelled into poverty alleviation programmes.
He also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to lead demands for the implementation of welfare laws alongside the new minimum wage.
Falana urged Nigerians to mobilise for popular democracy and resist the imposition of candidates by political godfathers.
He also called on religious institutions, particularly the Church, to monitor government budgets at the federal, state and local levels and establish human rights structures to protect citizens.
ADC to Participate Fully in 2027 Elections
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it would participate fully in the 2027 general elections despite concerns over some decisions and activities of INEC.
The Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chizy Enyi, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, saying the party remained concerned about the transparency of INEC’s preparations but would not withdraw from the elections.
Enyi said the party was prepared to challenge any action it considered illegal and would do everything possible to protect the votes of Nigerians.
He also expressed concern over the recent redeployment of seven Electoral Officers across local government areas in Rivers State and called on INEC to explain the reasons for the decision.
According to him, the party had received information that some of the affected officials might have been redeployed because of perceptions about their professional independence.
He, however, stressed that the allegations should not be treated as facts until INEC responded.
Enyi also urged the commission to ensure that the recruitment of ad hoc election workers remained transparent and free from political influence.
HURIWA Questions Wike’s Claim on Rivers, FCT
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), meanwhile, expressed concern over the recent declaration by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that he was in control of the political structures in Rivers State and the FCT and was certain of delivering both territories to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the declaration during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he described himself as the “general commander” of the political structure in Rivers State and claimed a similar position in the FCT.
HURIWA said the statement should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that it raised fundamental questions about the integrity, neutrality and credibility of the electoral process.
The group urged INEC to clarify whether Wike’s declaration was merely a political assertion or whether he possessed information about the likely outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
HURIWA maintained that electoral credibility did not begin on Election Day but depended on public confidence in the neutrality and independence of the electoral umpire.
The organisation called on INEC to introduce and publicise additional confidence-building measures to reassure Nigerians that the 2027 elections would be conducted transparently, independently and without interference from political actors.
Communication Scholars Seek INEC Neutrality
Also, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and other communication scholars urged INEC to maintain neutrality and strengthen its digital systems ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also called on journalists to avoid inflammatory reporting and promote peace, accuracy and social responsibility in their coverage of the elections.
The call was made at the 13th Annual International Conference of ACSPN, held at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.
The conference, themed “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruption and the New Dynamics of Electoral Communication,” brought together communication scholars, media practitioners, policymakers, electoral authorities and other stakeholders.
National President of ACSPN, Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, urged INEC to ensure that its digital platforms, applications and other technological equipment were fully operational ahead of the elections to prevent glitches that could undermine the electoral process.
He also called on the commission to collaborate with telecommunications companies to improve internet accessibility, particularly in rural communities.
Utomi-led Group Begins Opposition Coalition Talks
Meanwhile, the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has commenced consultations with opposition political parties and presidential candidates as part of efforts to build a common political platform and achieve a consensus candidacy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The MCE Political Commission, chaired by the movement’s convener and founding leader, Prof. Patrick Utomi, was constituted in July to lead consultations with opposition presidential candidates and party leaders.
The Media Coordinator of MCE, James Ezema, said the commission had shortlisted seven opposition parties and their presidential candidates for final engagements and possible endorsement.
He said the names and profiles of the shortlisted parties and candidates would be unveiled at a press conference next week, alongside the commission’s work plan, modalities and working sub-committees.
Ezema said the MCE National Secretariat would assess the profiles, ideologies, electoral programmes, curricula vitae and other credentials of the candidates and parties as part of the process of determining the opposition candidate and platform it would support.
