Political economist and former presidential candidate Prof. Pat Utomi has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and credible, insisting that Nigeria’s elections since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999 have consistently fallen short of acceptable standards. Speaking in an interview in Owerri, Imo State, Utomi said successive elections have been plagued by irregularities that continue to erode public confidence in the electoral process.
According to Utomi, while some elections were better conducted than others, none could be described as entirely free, fair or credible. He singled out the 2023 general election as a major setback for Nigeria’s democracy, alleging that failures in the electronic transmission and publication of results undermined transparency and public trust. He argued that unresolved concerns over the election have continued to fuel doubts about the integrity of the country’s electoral system.
The professor also condemned practices such as vote buying, voter intimidation, election violence and result manipulation, describing them as major threats to Nigeria’s democratic development. He urged INEC to strengthen electoral safeguards and ensure that technologies such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal are used effectively to improve transparency in future elections.
Despite his criticism, Utomi expressed optimism that Nigeria can still conduct credible elections if there is sufficient political will. He said the outcome of the 2027 polls would depend on the commitment of electoral authorities, political actors and citizens to uphold democratic principles and resist attempts to undermine the voting process.
Utomi further argued that Nigeria’s broader governance challenges are closely linked to the quality of its leadership, stressing that the country needs leaders with integrity, competence and a genuine commitment to public service. He maintained that strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring transparent elections remain essential to restoring public confidence and advancing national development.
Post a Comment