The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress David Mark has raised serious concerns about the state of Nigeria’s electoral system saying the Independent National Electoral Commission has lost the confidence of citizens and can no longer be seen as neutral
He spoke at the National Opposition Summit in Ibadan Oyo State where he warned that the credibility of democracy in Nigeria is being weakened by doubts over the fairness and independence of the body responsible for conducting elections
Mark stressed that democracy can only remain strong when electoral institutions are trusted and seen as unbiased.
According to him, he said the current situation is dangerous because many Nigerians no longer believe the electoral body is acting independently in the interest of all political parties
He compared the situation to a referee in a football match openly showing support for one side saying that such behavior destroys trust in the outcome of the game and makes the entire process questionable.
According to him, this is how many citizens now view the electoral system in the country
He further warned that if urgent steps are not taken to rebuild confidence the country may face a serious democratic setback He expressed concern that future elections could become even more disputed and widely rejected by the public if reforms are not implemented
Mark also urged opposition leaders to remain united and focused on the national interest rather than personal ambition He reminded them that moments of national challenge require sacrifice unity and commitment to the wellbeing of citizens above individual or party goals
He emphasized that leadership at this time should be about putting the country first avoiding division and working together to strengthen democracy and restore public trust in the electoral process
