Activists and Stakeholders Urge Presidency to Relinquish Control Over INEC and Judiciary Ahead of 2027 Elections

As Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections, calls are growing louder for sweeping reforms aimed at guaranteeing free, fair, and credible polls.
Across the country, legal experts, civil society leaders, political analysts, and former public officials are urging constitutional amendments that would strip the executive arm of government of its influence over the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Demands for Structural Reform

Mr. Cleric Alaowei, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), argued that true electoral integrity cannot be achieved unless INEC and the judiciary are independent of executive control.
He proposed that the appointment of judges and electoral commissioners should be handled by independent bodies such as the National Judicial Council (NJC) and suggested that INEC leadership positions should be elected rather than appointed by the president.

“Without addressing these legal flaws and structural weaknesses, credible elections in 2027 will remain a mirage,” Alaowei said.

Hon. Stephen Adewale, activist and former Ondo SDP chairman, warned of dire consequences if nothing changes:
“Unless radical reforms are enacted, the 2027 elections would not only be flawed but a complete farce,” he stated.

He pointed to the failures of the 2023 elections, including INEC’s inability to transmit results via the IReV portal and the judiciary’s dismissal of credible petitions on technical grounds:
“The judiciary must return to its sacred duty of justice. Judges should no longer serve as silent accomplices in the erosion of democracy.”

Development consultant Surveyor Furoebi Akene echoed these concerns:
“There cannot be justice with the present judicial officers,” he said, stressing that biased judges only embolden impunity and oppression.

Broader Calls for Accountability

Eric Omare, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, noted that the 2022 Electoral Act has been misinterpreted by the courts and urgently needs to be amended. He supported reforming the appointment process of INEC leadership, recommending a neutral body similar to the one proposed by the Uwais Committee.

Political activist Mr. Blessing Adima pushed for decentralizing INEC:
He suggested empowering resident electoral commissioners to announce presidential results in their respective states to reduce manipulation.

Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education and Health, warned that without overhauling INEC and the judiciary, voter apathy would deepen by 2027.

Opinions vary on who bears the most responsibility for Nigeria’s flawed elections. NLC President Joe Ajaero blamed the political elite:
“When the legislature becomes an extension of the executive and the judiciary speaks the voice of the executive, democracy is in danger,” he said.

Elder Joseph Ambakederimo of the South-South Reawakening Group argued that Nigeria already has sufficient electoral laws but politicians refuse to obey them.
Zik Gbemre of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition added:
“Until people get punished for compromising the electoral process, nothing will change.”

Proposals for Practical Change

Many stakeholders also called for resolving electoral disputes before officials are sworn in. Comrade Philip Jakpor suggested a 90-day window to settle all election petitions ahead of inauguration.
Dr. Peter Inyali proposed holding all elections on the same day to reduce manipulation and also called for mandatory electronic transmission of results.

Former NDE Director-General Chuku Wachuku and PDP chieftain Kennedy Peretei emphasized insulating INEC and the judiciary from political interference, while legal experts like Prof. Olugbenga Oke and Hon. Ayo Fadaka painted a grim picture of the judiciary, with Fadaka lamenting:
“Judges now scramble to be on election petition panels.”

Lawyers including Deola Fehintola, Taiwo Adediran, and Lanre Ogunsuyi stressed the need for judicial accountability, consistency in rulings, and stronger oversight bodies to monitor judges’ conduct.

Prof. Oke also highlighted a deeper societal challenge:
“We want the best, yet we tolerate mediocrity and corruption,” he said, urging a national ethical reawakening.

A Moral and Political Imperative

Comrade Waheed Saka advocated for long-term, institution-based reforms rather than short-term fixes, while Isah Abubakar of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria described reform as a “moral obligation.”

Mr. Lazarus Mom of the Benue NGO Network referenced the Uwais Panel’s recommendations, including electing the INEC chairman, shifting the burden of proof in election petitions to the commission, and enforcing mandatory electronic voting.

Finally, Alhaji Yerima Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum issued a stark warning:
“Without substantial reforms in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, the likelihood of conducting free, fair, and credible elections remains bleak.”