Serious doubts are mounting over the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections following disturbing revelations from insiders within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Multiple sources allege that a well-coordinated plot to manipulate the electoral process is already in motion.
According to findings, influential politicians have infiltrated INEC’s structures, designing what one insider described as a “cocktail of manipulations” that could produce the most compromised polls in Nigeria’s democratic history if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
The alleged scheme reportedly involves creating duplicate sets of original result sheets, tampering with the Results Viewing Portal (IReV), and manipulating voter registration processes.
A senior INEC source disclosed that two sets of the sensitive Form EC8 series, from polling unit level (EC8A) up to local government collation (EC8C) are being prepared.
While one set would be displayed publicly, the second set would be used secretly to alter results in targeted areas.
“The strategy is to manipulate transparency by producing parallel results and altering what is uploaded to IReV,” the source said.
The revelations raise new concerns about the integrity of INEC’s much-celebrated technologies, including BVAS and IReV, which civil society groups had hailed as bulwarks against fraud in the 2023 elections.
Indeed, observers noted that in the Edo, Ondo, and Kogi off-cycle governorship elections, as well as some by-elections, results were allegedly uploaded before voting closed, while vote totals often exceeded the number of accredited voters.
Beyond result management, irregularities have also been flagged in voter registration. Some newly created polling units are reportedly being underpopulated deliberately, creating artificial strongholds for partisan operatives while limiting opposition mobilisation.
At the same time, political manoeuvres are intensifying around INEC leadership. Sources say powerful interests are pushing for a possible replacement for Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, with names of former commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) already circulating.
Critics, however, warn that many of those being considered lack credibility, with questionable records from previous service.
Although the 1999 Constitution mandates presidential appointment of INEC leadership subject to Senate confirmation and consultation with the National Council of State (NCoS), President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointments of National Commissioners and RECs reportedly bypassed this consultation step.
Unless urgent reforms are introduced by the NCoS, civil society, and the international community, stakeholders warn that the 2027 elections could face unprecedented credibility challenges.
Vanguard
