As Nigeria draws closer to the 2027 general elections, there has been a significant increase in calls for comprehensive reforms to ensure the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. A wide array of stakeholders—including legal professionals, civil society groups, political analysts, former government officials, and rights activists—are now demanding a total restructuring of Nigeria's electoral and judicial systems.
These reform advocates are united in their belief that the executive arm of government must be stripped of its influence over both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary in order to guarantee elections that are truly free, fair, and transparent.
Mr. Cleric Alaowei, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), strongly emphasized that no genuine electoral credibility can be achieved until the two institutions—INEC and the judiciary—are free from executive interference. He advocated constitutional amendments to ensure that appointments of judges and electoral commissioners are handled by independent bodies such as the National Judicial Council (NJC). Furthermore, he proposed that key positions within INEC should no longer be filled through presidential appointments but rather through elections or neutral oversight processes.
“Without addressing these legal flaws and structural weaknesses, credible elections in 2027 will remain a mirage,” Alaowei warned.
Echoing similar concerns, Hon. Stephen Adewale, an activist and former chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, warned that unless radical and sweeping reforms are implemented, the 2027 elections will not only be flawed but may turn out to be “a complete farce.” He cited the failures of the 2023 elections as evidence—highlighting INEC's inability to transmit results via the IReV portal and the judiciary’s dismissal of credible petitions on technical grounds.
“The judiciary must return to its sacred duty of justice. Judges should no longer serve as silent accomplices in the erosion of democracy,” he stated.
Development consultant Surveyor Furoebi Akene went a step further, placing blame squarely on the judiciary for the country’s recurring electoral issues. According to him, “There cannot be justice with the present judicial officers,” stressing that partisan or compromised judges contribute to a culture of impunity.
Eric Omare, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, joined the chorus, stressing that the courts have misinterpreted the 2022 Electoral Act. He called for urgent amendments to the Act and backed reforms to INEC’s appointment process—favoring recommendations made by the Uwais Committee, which suggested a more neutral appointment mechanism.
Another voice, Mr. Blessing Adima, a political activist, advocated for decentralizing INEC. He proposed empowering resident electoral commissioners to announce presidential results in their respective states, a move he believes would reduce opportunities for centralized manipulation.
Former Minister of Education and Health, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, echoed similar sentiments. He noted that unless INEC and the judiciary are overhauled, voter apathy will undermine participation in the 2027 elections.
While many opinions vary on who bears ultimate responsibility for Nigeria's flawed electoral system, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, pointed to the political class. “When the legislature becomes an extension of the executive and the judiciary speaks the voice of the executive, democracy is in danger,” he warned.
Elder Joseph Ambakederimo from the South-South Reawakening Group noted that Nigeria already has sufficient electoral laws, but political actors deliberately ignore or subvert them. Zik Gbemre of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition supported this view, stating that better enforcement of existing laws would yield better results than simply enacting new ones.
“Until people get punished for compromising the electoral process, nothing will change,” Gbemre asserted.
Many experts and activists also pushed for pre-election dispute resolutions, calling for a system that allows all legal cases to be decided before elected officials are sworn in. Comrade Philip Jakpor recommended a fixed 90-day timeframe to conclude all election-related court cases ahead of any inauguration.
Dr. Peter Inyali proposed holding all elections on the same day to minimize manipulation and further suggested that electronic transmission of results be made mandatory to enhance transparency.
Former Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Chuku Wachuku, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Kennedy Peretei both underscored the importance of insulating INEC and the judiciary from political control and influence.
Legal experts such as Professor Olugbenga Oke and Hon. Ayo Fadaka described the Nigerian judiciary as corrupt and in dire need of reform. “Judges now scramble to be on election petition panels,” lamented Fadaka, highlighting the career and financial incentives that encourage bias.
Other legal professionals—including Deola Fehintola, Taiwo Adediran, and Lanre Ogunsuyi—emphasized the need for judicial accountability, consistency in court rulings, and the establishment of oversight bodies that would monitor judicial conduct.
Some stakeholders went deeper, arguing that Nigeria's broader societal values need change. “We want the best, yet we tolerate mediocrity and corruption,” stated Professor Oke, calling for a moral and ethical reawakening across all sectors of society.
Comrade Waheed Saka argued that temporary fixes are not enough. He advocated for long-term, institution-based reforms capable of resisting political interference. Meanwhile, Isah Abubakar of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria described reform as not just political, but a “moral obligation.”
Mr. Lazarus Mom from the Benue NGO Network referenced recommendations by the Uwais Panel, which included making the INEC Chairman an elective position and shifting the burden of proof in election petitions to INEC. He also endorsed the implementation of mandatory electronic voting as a way to deter fraud.
Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, concluded the debate by warning that without structural reforms to both INEC and the judiciary, hopes for credible 2027 elections are simply unrealistic.
“Without substantial reforms in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, the likelihood of conducting free, fair, and credible elections remains bleak,” Shettima warned.