A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has cautioned that Nigeria may be unable to conduct credible elections in 2027 unless key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 are urgently amended.
Igini issued the warning on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the All Political Parties Summit held in Ibadan on April 25, 2026.
Speaking on the theme: “Ensuring Free, Fair and Credible Elections,” he stressed that while Nigeria has made progress with electoral technology and legal frameworks, glaring loopholes in the new law could undermine the integrity of the next general elections.
According to him, the presence of innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is not sufficient to guarantee credible polls without strong legal backing and ethical compliance by stakeholders.
“Technology has given us tools. Law has given us rules. But tools and rules don’t conduct elections—people do,” Igini said, emphasizing that credible elections require collective responsibility from INEC, political parties, the judiciary, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, and voters.
He warned that the 2027 elections would serve as a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity, describing it as “more than a test, but a verdict” on whether the country has learned from past electoral shortcomings, particularly the 2023 general elections.
Igini specifically called on political parties to urgently engage the National Assembly to amend what he described as “obnoxious and controversial” sections of the Electoral Act 2026. He cited provisions such as Sections 60(3), 63(2), 65, 77, 137(3), and 138(2), warning that they could erode public confidence and compromise the sanctity of the ballot.
He argued that without clear and unambiguous laws, public trust in the electoral process would remain fragile, noting that the credibility of elections hinges not only on procedures but also on outcomes that reflect the true will of the people.
Highlighting global examples, Igini warned of the dangers of flawed elections, referencing post-election violence in countries like Kenya, where disputed results led to widespread unrest and humanitarian crises.
The former INEC official outlined key indicators of credible elections, including a transparent legal framework, accurate voter registers, proper training of election personnel, timely conduct of polls, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms. He added that election outcomes must be widely accepted by voters to ensure legitimacy. According to him, parties must also be willing to accept defeat if the process is credible and seek redress only through legal channels.
On the role of security agencies, Igini reminded law enforcement bodies of their constitutional duty to remain neutral, professional, and impartial in providing security during campaigns and elections. He noted that the Electoral Act guarantees equal access to campaign venues and prohibits the obstruction of political rallies.
Concluding his address, Igini urged stakeholders to prioritise integrity over political advantage, warning that democracy cannot thrive where electoral processes are compromised. “Free, fair and credible elections should not be a slogan but a standard,” he said. “History will judge political parties the most because they are the ones who seek power. Seek it cleanly”.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could still achieve credible elections in 2027 if urgent corrective measures are taken, particularly through legislative reforms and a renewed commitment to democratic values.
