IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, has advocated for the strengthening of Nigeria’s electronic accreditation system to enhance the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Balogun made this call during the Situation Room Advocacy Meeting on the criteria for appointments into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the credibility threshold for the next elections, held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the lawmaker emphasized that accreditation remains the most critical phase of the electoral process. He remarked that in today’s political landscape, “any brilliant politician will know that the fear of BVAS is the beginning of wisdom.”
He pointed out that the era of vote manipulation through inflated figures was over, urging that experienced INEC personnel should be retained to provide continuity and expertise in electoral management. According to him, the appointment of an INEC chairman should be limited to commissioners already serving within the electoral body to ensure institutional knowledge and efficiency.
The Convener of the Situation Room, Mr. Yunusa Ya’u, stated that the meeting was aimed at going beyond constitutional provisions to identify the key qualities and criteria necessary for appointing the INEC chairman. He stressed that such appointments should prioritize competence, integrity, and impartiality.
Mr. Ya’u, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), highlighted the importance of developing actionable recommendations that could improve the electoral process. He maintained that the credibility of elections depends significantly on the quality of leadership at INEC.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr. Clement Nwankwo, emphasized the need for a non-partisan individual to be appointed as INEC chairman. He noted that electoral transparency is best achieved when key officials are free from political influences.
Also speaking, the Deputy National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Mr. Dipo Olayokun, suggested a major reform in the appointment process of the INEC chairman. He argued that both the appointment and funding of INEC should be removed from the control of the President to ensure the commission’s independence.
Adding an international perspective, the Political Counselor at the British High Commission, Mr. Tom Burge, reaffirmed the commitment of the UK to supporting Nigeria’s electoral process. He stressed that credible elections are essential for democracy and urged all stakeholders to uphold the rights of citizens to free and fair elections.
The discussions at the meeting underscored the need for institutional reforms ahead of the 2027 elections, with a focus on strengthening electronic accreditation, ensuring non-partisan leadership, and safeguarding the independence of the electoral body.
With calls for a more transparent and efficient electoral system, stakeholders at the event agreed that reforms must be implemented to guarantee credible elections and reinforce public trust in the democratic process.
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