A leading voice at the North-East Stakeholders Town Hall on electoral reforms, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has declared a growing lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that recent actions by the electoral body could undermine Nigeria’s democratic future.
Tanko spoke on Thursday in Gombe during the town hall engagement organised by the Movement for Credible Elections, themed “Credible Reforms for the 2027 Elections.”
The town hall brought together stakeholders from across the North-East to deliberate on pathways to credible electoral reforms, with participants unanimously stressing that without urgent action, Nigeria’s democratic future could remain at risk.
“Frankly, we are not confident in the electoral umpire, especially considering some of its recent pronouncements regarding political parties. It is clear that INEC does not fully represent the interests of all political parties,” he added.
He argued that the current Electoral Act fails to meet the expectations of Nigerians, insisting that urgent reforms are needed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our position is very clear: the current Electoral Act does not serve the interests of the Nigerian people. Therefore, it must be revisited, and the views of citizens must be taken into account,” Tanko stated.
He outlined key demands, including real-time transmission of election results and the protection of citizens’ rights to vote and be voted for.
“We want real-time release of election results. We want to ensure that every Nigerian has the right to vote and be voted for. We also reject the revalidation of voter registration that INEC is attempting to introduce,” he added.
Tanko further cited instances where INEC’s actions allegedly undermined political parties, pointing to the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as examples.
“A judgement was delivered on the Labour Party last year, yet INEC only acted on it this year following a Supreme Court ruling. That raises concerns,” he said.
“On the ADC, INEC directed a return to the status quo but failed to properly restore the recognised leadership on its portal. Instead, it delisted them entirely. What this does is sideline the party from the political process, which is unacceptable.”
He warned that such actions could erode Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
“If this continues, it could lead to a one-party state, which contradicts Nigeria’s democratic system. There can never be a vacuum in a political party,” he stressed.
Tanko urged citizens to take an active role in safeguarding democracy.
“Nigerians must raise their voices and demand accountability through public hearings and active participation in the electoral process. Anything short of that means their voices may not be heard,” he said.
On vote-buying, he offered a cautionary note:“The most important thing is to act in line with the law and protect your interests, not just for today, but for the future and generations to come.”
Also speaking, Dr Ramatu Buba of the Department of Political Science, Gombe State University, said Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with flawed elections must be addressed through collective action and voter awareness.
“For quite a long time, Nigeria has been yearning for credible elections,” she said. “With stakeholders coming together, we have been able to iron out key issues and discuss ways forward.”
Buba highlighted persistent challenges such as electoral irregularities and money politics, which she said have weakened public trust in the system.
“We have experienced irregularities, money politics, and other factors that have undermined the system. But we are hopeful that the next election will be different,” she noted.
She emphasised the importance of voter education in driving change.
“If people are fully aware of the situation, there will definitely be change. Nigerians are yearning for something different, and that aspiration will shape future elections.”
In his remarks, Dr Abdulkadir Saleh, also of the Political Science Department, Gombe State University, stressed that credible elections are fundamental to democratic survival.
“Credible elections are the backbone of democracy globally. Without them, we risk producing a government that faces a crisis of legitimacy,” he warned.
Saleh called on INEC to uphold neutrality and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines.
“INEC must play by the rules. It is expected to be an impartial umpire that conducts free, fair, and acceptable elections,” he said.
He also urged the electoral body to revisit and strengthen electoral reforms ahead of 2027.
“Electoral reforms must be scrutinised again to ensure they meet the required standards,” he added.
Drawing comparisons with global best practices, Saleh said Nigeria has no excuse not to improve its electoral process.
“If India, with about 1.4 billion people, can conduct elections and announce results within a day, Nigeria, with over 200 million people, should be able to do the same,” he argued.
He further called on the government to provide adequate funding and avoid interference in INEC’s operations.
“The government must release the necessary funds and allow INEC to operate independently. This will enable the commission to conduct elections without any hitches,” Saleh said.
