The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to improve Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, reinforcing its stance on transparency and accountability in the wake of widespread post-election litigation from 2023.
Speaking during the public presentation of “From Ballot to the Court”—a report analyzing election petitions following the 2023 polls—INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the Commission is open to scrutiny and welcomes collaborations that drive electoral reform.
Yakubu was represented at the event by the Commission’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Inuwa.
The report, released by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the European Union, reviewed the performance of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems during the last election cycle.
It revealed that out of 895 tribunal cases, only 11.1% were successful, while 20.9% of 588 appeals succeeded at the Court of Appeal.Yakubu described the findings as both promising and challenging.
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“These outcomes show a stronger, more credible electoral system is taking root”
“But they also signal a need to examine how accessible and efficient our election dispute mechanisms truly are.” he said.
He noted a shift in electoral dynamics, highlighting that the margins between winners and runners-up in many constituencies are becoming narrower.
“The days of landslide victories are fading. We’re seeing closer contests, and that’s a win for our democracy,” Yakubu said.
He reaffirmed INEC’s readiness to strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations like PLAC, stressing the Commission’s goal of delivering free, fair, and inclusive elections in 2027.
PLAC Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, echoed similar concerns, describing the rising tide of post-election court cases as a signal of distrust in the electoral process.
“It’s alarming how dependent our system has become on judicial intervention,” he said.
Nwankwo called for legislative reforms and increased training for judges involved in election cases, noting that the judiciary now plays a pivotal role in determining Nigeria’s political leadership.
The “From Ballot to the Court” report recommends key reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework, emphasizing the urgent need for legal clarity, improved conduct by electoral officers, and enhanced judicial capacity.
With 2027 on the horizon, both INEC and civil society groups are under pressure to act on these findings and raise the credibility of the country’s elections.
