2027 General Election: Are We Prepared? – By Oladele Oladipupo

By Oladele Oladipupo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the institution set up by the federal government that is saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in Nigeria. The Commission is also mandated to register political parties that meet INEC’s requirements. In discharging its statutory mandate, the Commission has released the timetable for the conduct of the 2027 general elections. According to the INEC timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held in January 2027, while the state governorship and state House of Assembly elections are slated for February 2027. We hope that the 2027 general elections will be peaceful, free, fair, and credible. Let us keep our fingers crossed. Let me pose a question: Is INEC ready for the 2027 general elections? This question may sound funny. The reason I ask is that a few days ago, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that as of Thursday, 3rd 3rd September 2026, the Commission had not received the funds meant for the conduct of the 2027 general elections. He further stated that the Commission needed to procure some equipment, such as accreditation machines, that are needed for the elections.
Obviously, the Commission has to place an order for the equipment, and it might take some months before the equipment arrives in the country. I think we need to be more proactive in the way we handle issues relating to election matters. There shouldn’t be any delay in providing funds for the Commission. It is quite unfortunate that since 1999, when we started conducting general elections in this country, we have not been able to put our house in order. Nigeria, being the giant of Africa, is supposed to set a good example for other African countries to emulate. Over the years, I have watched on television several occasions when hoodlums hijacked ballot boxes, burnt down polling booths, and destroyed election materials. Elections in Nigeria have been a “do or die” affair. The question is: Why do we have to kill ourselves because of elections? Lately, of great concern are disturbing signs already emerging ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to media reports, some members of the ruling party have been alleged to have made inflammatory statements, threats, and taken actions that are inimical and capable of disturbing the peace in the country. I think it is imperative that INEC and relevant security agencies should call these people to order.
It would be recalled that the last Osun State governorship election witnessed chaotic situations. However, we give glory to God for making the election hitch-free. We also have to commend both INEC and the security agencies for their hard work and professionalism. They did a fantastic job. One of the major challenges that we have in this country as far as general elections are concerned is the fact that some of us are not disciplined at all. For instance, despite the fact that prior to any general election, the INEC chairman always warns all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly, and that any attempt to disrupt the elections will be met with the force of the law, yet some hoodlums still take the law into their hands. Nigerians are seriously praying for the success of the forthcoming 2027 general elections. However, in order to make the elections hitch-free, I would like the INEC Chairman to take note of the following suggestions:
First, funding. It is obvious that for any election to be peaceful, free, fair, and credible, funding is very critical. To be on the safer side, I would like to advise the INEC Chairman to make a follow-up on the request for the 2027 general elections budget. Remember, all eyes are on the INEC Chairman, and time is not on our side. Second: Security of lives and property before and during the elections. It is important that the INEC Chairman liaise with the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to provide adequate security measures before, during, and after the elections. Moreover, the security agencies should ensure that they protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials, and electoral materials without discrimination. Furthermore, they should ensure a level playing field for every political actor. That is, every political party must have equal opportunity to campaign and participate in the elections without intimidation or harassment. The electorate should also remain law-abiding, cooperate with the security agencies, and report any suspicious activities.
Third, logistics. It is imperative that the INEC Chairman collaborate with the National Union of Road Transport Workers to fashion out modalities for conveying electoral materials, equipment, and personnel to various polling units nationwide. Efforts should also be intensified to provide boats for transporting equipment, election materials, and personnel to riverine areas. Fourth, voter education. Obviously, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the media have critical roles to play in making the forthcoming elections a big success. There is a need for awareness and sensitization. There are people who have just attained the age of 18 and such people need to obtain their PVCs, while some people have lost theirs. I think there is a lot of work to be done as far as voter education is concerned.
Fifth, vote buying. One of the challenges that INEC should anticipate during the forthcoming 2027 general elections is vote buying. It has been observed that vote buying has increasingly shifted from physical cash exchanges at polling units to digital financial transactions. It is advisable that INEC work with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, with plain-clothes anti-corruption operatives who will monitor the surroundings of polling units and arrest suspected buyers and sellers.

Sixth: Engagement of ad-hoc staff

This is the time when INEC should start thinking about the number and categories of ad-hoc staff to be employed. Will they be trained? If yes, what will be the cost implication and the duration of the training?
Finally, Nigerians should ensure that they cooperate with both INEC and the security agencies to make the 2027 general elections a big success.

•Oladipupo writes in via [email protected]