As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, debates about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process have intensified.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former political adviser to the Vice President, has issued a stern warning that any election lacking transparency could push the country into unprecedented turmoil.
Speaking on the growing concerns, Baba-Ahmed took to his verified X account to emphasize the critical need for political leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to listen to voices calling for credible elections. He stated, “Voices are being raised regarding integrity of the 2027 elections. Our leaders and INEC should listen. Anything short of the most transparent elections will produce neither winners nor losers. Rigging will risk plunging this country into its worst crises. No one wants that.”
His cautionary remarks come against the backdrop of a recent proposal by the House of Representatives to conduct five major elections presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, and House of Assembly all on the same day. If passed, the revised Electoral Act would empower INEC to oversee these polls simultaneously.
Meanwhile, on the topic of political interactions, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Print Media, addressed public reactions to President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief program, Abdulaziz dismissed any suspicion or disdain over the meeting, saying, “Politicians talk; it’s not a sin talking across lines.”
He further explained the longstanding relationship between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, which spans over three decades, including their tenures as senators and governors. Abdulaziz noted that political alliances and realignments are part and parcel of Nigerian politics, and such meetings should be viewed as normal rather than controversial.
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 polls, the call for transparency remains paramount, with political leaders urged to foster an environment that ensures credible and peaceful elections.
