By John Paul
Leading political figures, including former Osun State governor and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publicly demonstrate the workings of its electoral technologies, particularly the BVAS and IReV systems, well ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They made the call at a high-level policy dialogue hosted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in Abuja, themed “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025: Gains, Gaps, and the Road Ahead.”
Aregbesola, who opened the discussion, said INEC must take deliberate steps to restore public trust by transparently showcasing the technology it intends to deploy in future elections.
“INEC must do a public presentation of the technology it wants to use,” he said. “Don’t just tell us about BVAS or IReV and then surprise Nigerians on election day. The 2022 Electoral Act compels the Commission to demonstrate its process before deployment.”
He argued that lack of transparency in electoral technology breeds confusion and suspicion, noting that even the most advanced systems depend on the integrity of those managing them.
“Technology is only as credible as the people behind it,” he warned. “That’s why Stalin once said voters don’t matter as much as the man who counts the votes, and we’ve seen this play out.”
Aregbesola also called for real-time result display, citing countries like India, Brazil, and Venezuela where tallies are shown as votes are cast.
“We’ve invested so much in technology; it’s time Nigerians see results as they’re recorded,” he said. “The paperwork should only serve as backup for parties.”
On voter registration, he urged INEC to link its database with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to curb multiple registrations and clean up the voter roll.
“We can’t have 93 million registered voters and only 23 million show up. That’s not credible,” he said.
The former minister further suggested that political parties with parliamentary representation should jointly nominate INEC leadership to prevent domination by the ruling party.
“If the main beneficiary of manipulation appoints the umpire, the outcome is already compromised,” he noted, acknowledging that the reform would require a constitutional amendment.
Aregbesola concluded that trust, transparency, and inclusion, not technology alone, form the bedrock of credible elections.
“To have democracy, you need democrats. And democrats are built on trust,” he said.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo reinforced the call for deeper institutional reform, stressing that electoral integrity reflects the strength of governance and the rule of law.
“The question is how to make our institutions work,” he said. “We’ve made progress, but true credibility depends on those managing the process.”
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara linked credible elections to respect for the rule of law and accountability, saying democracy cannot thrive in their absence.
“Without justice and fairness, there can be no peace or legitimacy,” he said.
Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka added that weak institutions and low public confidence remain Nigeria’s greatest electoral challenges.
“Institutions, not individuals, make democracy work,” he said. “The umpire must never be seen as a player.”
Responding on behalf of INEC, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, a national commissioner, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to improving transparency and data integrity.
“INEC has continued to reform its processes and has now established an Artificial Intelligence Unit to enhance monitoring and accountability ahead of 2027,” he said.
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