Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), has raised concerns over the independence of Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that perceived political pressure is weakening public trust and undermining electoral credibility and integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Nwankwo said the current political climate already shows signs of imbalance that could distort democratic competition.
“As we head to the 2027 general elections, it is very, very sad to see that as it is going, it appears that it’s only one party that appears to be coasting to some level of stability as we go on. The other parties are mad in their own confusion because of the influence of the ruling party.”
He warned that such a trajectory, if unchecked, could create a situation where elections lose meaning altogether. “We cannot, as a democracy, we cannot as Nigeria, have an uncontested election in 2027. It will be very, very disastrous for this democracy. And if anybody thinks that we will successfully have an uncontested election in 2027, then that person has no understanding of history.”
Nwankwo argued that the commission’s credibility has been weakened over successive election cycles. INEC came out of the 2023 general election, that even 2019, with its reputation severely dented, and we had said, INEC needs to rebuild its credibility, needs to rebuild its image, needs to rebuild citizens’ trust in it. And for me, I think that’s the worrying issue.”
He stressed that without trust in the electoral umpire, election outcomes lose legitimacy.
“How does INEC do this? Does INEC understand how important it is that people trust it? And when they don’t trust it, then the legitimacy of the electoral process is severely dented.”
According to him, the consequences extend beyond politics. “Those who win an election that people have no trust in the process, probably just end a pyrrhic victory. Pyrrhic victories always have consequences.”
Nwankwo also questioned whether INEC’s recent operational decisions reflect independence. “So all of these things raise the question, is INEC making these decisions independently, or is it under political pressure to make these decisions?”
He criticised what he described as unnecessary election timetable adjustments. “The constitution is very clear. Elections should go no earlier than 115 days and no later than 30 days, there is no need for that pressure of time that you have exerted on yourself.”
Nwankwo also revisited concerns about the 2023 presidential election. “We never saw the results from the presidential election. It was for me, why would you have the same machine, the same mechanism drop one result and not the other?”
He insisted that the absence of independent verification of results continues to raise doubts.
“2023, a technical glitch that only happened in the presidential election, But there’s been no independent verification of what transpired.”
Beyond electoral administration, Nwankwo raised concerns about the high cost of participation in Nigerian elections. “If it is governorship, you pay 50 million. If it is senate, you pay 20 million so your process already excludes people. It excludes independent candidates.”
He argued that the financial burden of politics discourages capable citizens. “The more you spend, the more you want to reap when you get into office. That’s why you see levels of corruption, which I must say is at an incredibly high as we speak right now.”
Nwankwo further warned that monetisation of politics contributes to poor governance outcomes. “When you look at the amounts of money that have been talked about, not too many women can afford it in addition to other constraints that women face.”
On voter confidence, he stressed that legitimacy is shaped not only by legal compliance but also by public perception of fairness. “Across the world, there is a posture of election observation, Based on that, your government that emerges from that election is treated with the credibility of humans.”
He warned that if electoral trust continues to erode, Nigeria risks long-term democratic instability. “When you look back now, you feel disappointed, The major issues that have followed and you organised are recommended.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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