Photo File: INEC, stakeholder

Several governors and former ministers have urged the Federal Government to initiate comprehensive reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Their call is aimed at restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and enhancing the credibility of future elections.

The call was made during a panel discussion hosted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in Abuja, themed “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025: Gains, Gaps, and the Road Ahead.” The event also marked the launch of the Athena Election Observatory, an initiative dedicated to monitoring electoral reforms, innovations, and governance trends in Nigeria and across Africa. The high-level dialogue brought together academics, policymakers, civil society leaders, and electoral experts to assess the impact of technological innovations on Nigeria’s elections over the past decade, and to chart a path forward for 2027.

Among the panelists were:

• Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State
• Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State
• Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior
• Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre
• Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of The Electoral Institute (representing INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu)

Aregbesola: “INEC Appointments Are a Grandstanding Deceit”

Former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola took a strong stance on the process of appointing INEC leadership, calling it fundamentally flawed. “It is a grandstanding deceit for the principal beneficiary of electoral manipulation to appoint the INEC Chairman,” he said, referring to the president’s role in the appointments. Aregbesola proposed that political parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should nominate INEC’s leadership to ensure true independence and public confidence. His remarks were met with nods and murmurs of approval, underlining the long-standing public concern over electoral autonomy.

Soludo: “Institutions, Not Just Technology, Ensure Credibility”

Governor Chukwuma Soludo emphasized that the credibility of elections reflects the strength of institutions and quality of governance. “The critical question is how we can make our institutions work,” he said. “We’ve made some progress, but we still have a long way to go in building trust in the process.”  He added that electoral integrity goes beyond technology or legal frameworks: “It is not just about the rules or the machines, it is about the people. We can only build democracy on institutions that Nigerians trust.”

Lawal: “Democracy Requires the Rule of Law”

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal linked democratic progress to adherence to the rule of law and institutional accountability. “We cannot talk about democracy without the rule of law. The rule of law guarantees fairness, justice, and peace,” he said. He stressed that institutions must be shielded from manipulation if Nigerians are to believe in the electoral process.

Chidoka: “Weak Institutions Undermine Democracy”

Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigeria’s electoral challenges stem from weak institutions and eroded public trust. “Institutions, not individuals, make democracy work. When institutions are weak, the system becomes personalised and unaccountable,” Chidoka said. He added that transparency and impartiality are non-negotiable: “We must ensure the umpire is not seen as a player. Without transparency, democracy becomes a shadow of itself.”

INEC Responds: “We Are Committed to Reform”

Responding on behalf of INEC, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru defended the commission’s efforts and reiterated its commitment to reform and transparency. “INEC has continued to reform its processes and build transparency in all its operations,” Zuru stated. He also revealed that the commission had established an Artificial Intelligence unit to enhance monitoring and data integrity ahead of future elections.