Since its establishment in 1999, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been responsible for conducting various elections in Nigeria, including presidential, governorship, senatorial, and House of Representatives elections.
However, despite being the primary institution responsible for overseeing the democratic process, INEC has consistently faced criticism regarding its integrity and impartiality.
Many Nigerians have raised concerns about the fairness of elections, often questioning the transparency of the process and suspecting collusion between INEC officials and political parties to manipulate results.
One of the most pressing concerns among Nigerians is the issue of election rigging. Time and time again, voters have participated in elections with the hope of seeing their votes count, only to be disappointed by outcomes that seem to contradict the will of the people.
A common complaint is that the results announced after elections often appear altered or manipulated, raising suspicions that INEC is not maintaining neutrality, which is essential for any credible electoral body.
A recent example of this electoral controversy is the governorship election in Edo State, which sparked widespread debate and questions about INEC’s integrity. Many Nigerians, as well as international observers, were left puzzled by the outcome. According to reports from U.S. and other foreign observers, the election lacked transparency, and concerns about manipulation were prevalent.
These observers noted several irregularities, leading many to question whether INEC had truly upheld the principles of free and fair elections.
Political parties also weighed in on the issue, accusing the current administration of influencing the election outcome.
Some argued that the ruling party had rigged the election to favor a candidate from the opposition party, creating further confusion and distrust among the electorate.
Such allegations of interference from the ruling class have left many Nigerians wondering whether their votes truly matter, or if the results are predetermined by political elites in collaboration with INEC officials.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, many Nigerians are already expressing doubts about the potential for a free and fair election.
 If INEC is perceived as being complicit in rigging, what hope do Nigerians have for future elections? This question is at the forefront of national discourse, as citizens reflect on past elections and the challenges they faced in having their voices heard.
The integrity of any democratic system depends on the trust that citizens have in its electoral processes. If people believe that INEC is unable or unwilling to conduct transparent elections, the legitimacy of the entire democratic process in Nigeria is called into question.
INEC has a duty to remain neutral, both during and after elections. This neutrality is crucial in ensuring that the outcome of any election reflects the true will of the people. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, this has not always been the case.
Over the years, many voters have become disillusioned, believing that no matter how many people turn out to vote, the results are likely to be manipulated by powerful political interests.
This perception undermines trust in INEC and weakens the foundations of democracy in Nigeria.
One of the most egregious issues plaguing Nigerian elections is the widespread practice of vote buying. Politicians, with INEC fully aware, use food, money, and other forms of bribery to influence voters.
This practice is particularly rampant in rural areas, where poverty and lack of access to basic necessities make voters vulnerable to such inducements.
Instead of voting for candidates based on policies or merit, many voters are swayed by short-term material gains offered by politicians looking to secure their votes.
Despite the clear illegality of vote-buying, INEC has failed to take decisive action against it.
This lack of enforcement further fuels the perception that INEC is not truly committed to ensuring free and fair elections.
If the electoral body is aware of these practices, why has it not acted more aggressively to curb them ? The inability or unwillingness to address vote-buying only serves to embolden politicians who seek to manipulate the system in their favor.
In addition to vote-buying, another troubling issue is the manipulation of election results before they are submitted to the collation centers.
After voting ends, political operatives often tamper with the results at the local level, altering figures before submitting them to the central authority.
This manipulation, which occurs between the polling unit and the collation center, undermines the entire electoral process.
If INEC is serious about maintaining its credibility, it must introduce more stringent measures to safeguard the integrity of election results from polling units to collation centers.
Another significant issue that has raised concerns about INEC’s ability to conduct credible elections is the problem of over-voting.
In several polling units, it has been reported that the number of votes cast exceeded the total number of registered voters.
This discrepancy raises serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process. If more votes are cast than there are registered voters, how can anyone trust that the election results are accurate ? Over-voting is a clear indication of electoral malpractice, yet INEC has not done enough to prevent or address this issue.
If INEC is to conduct credible and high-quality elections in Nigeria, it must take significant steps to reform its operations.
The first step is ensuring that the commission is neutral, both during the voting process and in the handling of election results.
Only when Nigerians see that INEC is truly impartial will they begin to have faith in the electoral process. Neutrality is the cornerstone of any democratic institution, and INEC must demonstrate that it is committed to upholding this principle.
With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa.” As the most populous country on the continent, Nigeria has a responsibility to lead by example, particularly when it comes to democratic governance.
The country’s elections should serve as a model for other African nations, showcasing the values of transparency, accountability, and fairness. However, for this to happen, INEC must rise to the occasion and reform its practices.
The upcoming 2027 general elections present an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that it is capable of conducting free and fair elections.
 If INEC can carry out an election that is devoid of manipulation, vote-buying, and result tampering, it would restore public confidence in the democratic process.
Moreover, such a demonstration of integrity would serve as an inspiration to other African nations, showing that credible elections are possible even in challenging environments.
The future of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on the ability of INEC to carry out its responsibilities with integrity and impartiality.
If the commission continues to allow manipulation, vote-buying, and result tampering, the credibility of future elections, including the 2027 general election, will be in jeopardy.
Nigerians deserve a system where their votes count and where election outcomes reflect the true will of the people.
It is time for INEC to step up and prove that it can be the neutral and transparent body that Nigerians need it to be.
Only then can Nigeria truly live up to its potential as the Giant of Africa, leading the way in democratic governance across the continent.
