INEC Assures Nigerians of Fair Elections, Says Politicians Are Outdated

The Independent National Electoral Commission has promised Nigerians that the 2027 elections will be free, fair, and credible. They stressed that every valid vote will count.

The commission also stated that the results of the 2027 general elections will truly represent the people's wishes.

Dr Adejumo Peter, who is the Head of Voter Education and Publicity for INEC in Kwara State, made these comments on Thursday in Ilorin. He spoke during a seminar held by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Peter dismissed the idea that politicians can change election outcomes by hoarding Permanent Voter Cards. He said such methods no longer work.

“INEC has introduced measures that make it impossible for anyone to use another person’s PVC to vote. That is why politicians have shifted their focus to vote-buying.

“Many politicians are still living in the past. Stockpiling and carting away PVCs can no longer guarantee electoral victory,” he said.

He assured Kwara residents that the commission will strictly follow the Electoral Act and its guidelines.

“INEC in Kwara will follow the rules and procedures laid down by the commission. We will ensure that the elections are conducted on the basis of one person, one vote. At the end of the exercise, the outcome will reflect the will of the people,” he said.

Peter urged politicians to run campaigns based on issues and to avoid violence before, during, and after the elections.

“I urge politicians to play by the rules. They should campaign on their manifestos and shun violence before, during and after the elections.

“Let us conduct the elections peacefully like a sporting contest. They should accept the outcome of the elections,” he added.

During the seminar, Abdulfatai Atata, who heads INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, talked about the theme, ‘Dissecting the Amended Electoral Act 2026: Innovations and Implications for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections.’ He described the amended Electoral Act as a major step forward in Nigeria’s electoral development.

He explained that the law brings important changes aimed at improving transparency, strengthening internal party democracy, and increasing the use of technology in elections.

“As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the Act will serve as both a test and a tool for deepening the country’s democratic governance.

“It introduces commendable reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening internal party democracy and increasing the use of technology. At the same time, it raises important legal and practical questions, particularly about constitutional consistency, enforcing campaign finance limits, the removal of judicial jurisdiction in party matters, and the narrowing of grounds for election petitions.

“Ultimately, the success of these changes will depend not only on how well they are designed but also on how effectively they are implemented, the capacity of institutions, and how the courts interpret them,” Atata said.