Yiaga Africa Advisor, Dr Sam Ogwuche, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still has operational gaps to address ahead of the Ekiti governorship election poll scheduled for June 20, warning that vote buying remains a major threat to electoral integrity.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, He said while INEC had taken steps to improve preparedness for the poll, including stakeholder engagements and testing of systems, more work was still required to strengthen confidence in the process.
“Its is okay that INEC has done this, but there’s still a lot to be done, we have seen stakeholder engagements before now. We have seen mobilisations. We have seen mock accreditation, certain gaps have emerged about the implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.”
He noted that while the commission had taken steps such as stakeholder engagements and mock accreditation exercises, significant gaps still remained in the electoral process. “People use cash, materials to be able to deprive Nigerians of the free exercise or expression of their will.”
The analyst said voter inducement through cash and material distribution continues to weaken the credibility of elections, especially in economically vulnerable communities. “Over the years, as I indicated earlier, many voters have shown lack of trust, lack of interest in the electoral process, generally because of the processes. So it shows that there is that kind of, you know, taking advantage of the vulnerability of economically depressed or distressed Nigerians or voters.”
Ogwuche stressed that although INEC has made improvements in election preparation. “Electoral integrity does not depend on election day activities alone. Pre-election atmosphere, campaign environment. But what we can say is that, yes, we have seen these things happen and they go to show the issue of integrity of our electoral process.”
He added that issues around voter behaviour, election logistics. “In terms of timely deployment of personnel and materials is another factor that INEC must consider. Well, it shows that INEC can actually conduct free and credible elections. Then you also look at election security. Because if you look at a key state, yes, security is germane to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections. And again, the fourth one is voter turnout. Over the years, as I indicated earlier, many voters have shown lack of trust, lack of interest in the electoral proces
Erizia Rubyjeana
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