2027 Obi, Falana, ADC, Others Raise Alarm Over Electoral Credibility

2027 Obi, Falana, ADC, Others Raise Alarm Over Electoral Credibility

Barely months to the 2027 general elections, political leaders, opposition groups and civil society voices have raised fresh concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that manipulation, intimidation, violence, vote buying and institutional weaknesses could undermine public confidence in the polls. The concerns came as stakeholders urged Nigerians and electoral authorities to ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, transparent and credible. The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, Peter Obi, assured his supporters that they would not be intimidated or prevented from having their votes counted during the 2027 elections. Obi said Nigerians who have sacrificed for democracy should remain committed to building a country that works, stressing that the electorate must be allowed to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote. His comments came amid growing concerns over the possibility of political intimidation and manipulation as political parties intensify preparations for the elections. Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking at the Bishop Mike Okonkwo yearly birthday lecture at the Muson Centre in Lagos, Falana identified political violence, allegedly rigged party primaries, weak electoral credibility and declining judicial integrity as major threats to the country’s democratic future. The lecture was themed “Democracy at the Crossroads Electoral Credibility, Judicial Integrity and the Future of Nigeria. Falana said the 2027 elections provide Nigerians with a rare opportunity to determine the country’s political direction. He stressed that elections are the foundation of democracy and that citizens must be able to participate freely and peacefully without fear, intimidation or threats. Falana cited the recently concluded governorship elections in Anambra and Ekiti States as evidence that credible elections are possible in Nigeria. He noted that none of the candidates who lost the elections in the two states had filed an election petition challenging the results. He also pointed to the All Progressives Congress APC’s acceptance of the result of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, saying the development demonstrated that where elections are credible, the electorate rather than judges can determine who wins. Falana called for the complete autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, arguing that the electoral umpire must be sufficiently independent to conduct credible polls. The senior lawyer expressed concern over threats of violence by political actors, warning that failure to prosecute those responsible could encourage violence during subsequent elections. He also criticised vote buying and urged the police and anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to stop the practice. Falana argued that funds earmarked for bribing voters should instead be channelled into poverty alleviation and social welfare programmes. He further urged Nigerians to mobilise against the imposition of candidates by political godfathers and demand a more participatory form of democracy. Pro-democracy activist Ayo Obe said electoral credibility goes beyond what happens on election day. Speaking at the event, Obe acknowledged that technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal IReV have improved the accuracy of vote counting. However, she identified voter-registration manipulation, insecurity, violence, intimidation and vote buying as factors that could discourage citizens from participating in elections. She also raised concerns over the abuse of state resources and the appointment of public office holders into party campaign councils. According to her, these issues can affect the fairness of the electoral process even before voters arrive at polling stations. Obe also warned that judicial integrity remains crucial to the credibility of elections. She said judicial integrity should involve independence, impartiality, competence, courage, transparency and public confidence — not merely the absence of corruption. She referenced historic election cases, including the 1979 “twelve two-thirds” case and the 1983 Plateau State petitions, to illustrate the influence of judicial decisions on Nigeria’s electoral outcomes. She also expressed concerns about provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, including changes affecting internal party disputes and the financial burden associated with election petitions. The African Democratic Congress ADC also raised concerns over the electoral process ahead of 2027, as political parties and opposition groups intensify preparations. Stakeholders have continued to call on INEC to ensure neutrality, transparency and institutional independence throughout the electoral cycle. The concerns come at a time when opposition parties are also exploring possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Recent opposition discussions have focused on the possibility of a common platform and a single presidential candidate, although disagreements remain among some groups. Beyond electoral technology and institutional reforms, stakeholders warned that insecurity could pose a serious threat to voter participation. Falana urged the government to address terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crime, arguing that citizens cannot fully participate in democratic processes when they are unable to move freely or feel safe. He also urged organised labour, religious institutions and civil society organisations to play a greater role in defending democratic rights and demanding accountability from government. With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, stakeholders are increasingly demanding stronger safeguards against electoral malpractice. The concerns centre on the need for an independent electoral commission, credible voter registration, secure polling environments, transparent result management, impartial security agencies and an independent judiciary. The debate has also highlighted the need for political parties to conduct transparent primaries and allow citizens to freely choose their preferred candidates. For Falana and other democracy advocates, the credibility of the 2027 elections will ultimately depend not only on INEC but also on the willingness of political actors, security agencies, courts, civil society and voters to defend the democratic process. As the election approaches, the central demand from stakeholders remains clear: Nigerians must be allowed to vote freely, and their votes must count.