They Have Initiated The Rigging Process For The Upcoming General Election

They Have Initiated The Rigging Process For The Upcoming General Election

During a recent Policy Dialogue focused on “The State of Anti-Corruption Policy and Practice in Nigeria” in Abuja, esteemed political scientist…READ MORE…

Professor Adele Jinadu expressed serious concerns about early indications from Nigeria’s political elite to manipulate the 2027 general elections.

Jinadu criticized the appointment of individuals affiliated with political parties to commissioner positions within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that this undermines the integrity of the electoral body and threatens the prospect of free and fair elections in Nigeria.

He warned, “They have begun the process of rigging the next general election by appointing known party members. Next year, many commissioners are due for re-appointment, and these appointments will be used to place individuals who will fulfill their agendas.”

He called attention to the prevalent issue of vote-buying, noting that significant funds are accrued for the 2027 elections. Jinadu urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to focus on party primaries, where substantial sums, both in naira and dollars, are exchanged for party tickets, rather than targeting impoverished voters who may receive a mere N2,000 or N4,000.

Jinadu emphasized the need for action, stating, “Nigerian citizens have been deceived for too long. We are at a critical juncture. While time is running out, it’s not too late. We must adopt the ‘Night Watchman’ approach.”

He reiterated the importance of fighting for the future without complacency, declaring his ongoing commitment to advocacy against corruption. “We must not give up. It’s essential to speak truth to power.”

In his analysis of Nigeria’s struggle against corruption, Jinadu pointed out that political interference has hampered the effectiveness of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He identified frequent removals and replacements of leadership in these organizations as a significant challenge, noting that the EFCC has had nine chairmen since its inception in 2003.

Highlighting the severity of the corruption crisis, he stated, “The tragedy of our democratic politics lies in the political class prioritizing self-interest, potentially leading to both their own downfall and hindering national development.”

He stressed the necessity of reintegrating morality into politics and firmly rejecting the immorality that lies at the heart of the nation’s corruption issues.

Describing the abuse of power as the most egregious form of corruption, Jinadu remarked, “The misuse of incumbency has escalated to alarming levels of impunity in this Fourth Republic.”

He asserted that such political corruption undermines democratic processes, negating the potential for genuine electoral competition.

Jinadu called for judicial reforms to effectively address corruption, stating, “We must initiate fundamental changes in our legal system, moving away from excessive formalism and elitism, in order to cultivate a more progressive, activist, and public interest-driven legal culture that supports social and distributive justice as a cornerstone of state policy.

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