As Nigeria approach the 2027 general elections, many citizens have expressed a lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and credible poll.

Despite INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, attending the recent elections in Ghana widely praised for their transparency and fairness, Nigerians remain skeptical about the ability of INEC to replicate such success.

Ghana’s election was celebrated for its smooth operation, with no reports of electoral manipulation, ballot box snatching, or delays in result transmission.

This stood in stark contrast to Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were marred by allegations of electoral malpractice, manipulation, and logistical issues.

When Professor Yakubu returned from Ghana, he attributed their success to lessons learned from Nigeria, a statement that left many Nigerians shocked and disillusioned.

Many believe that INEC has not demonstrated the capability to conduct a credible election in the coming years, especially after failures in off-cycle elections such as those in Edo and Ondo.

There are widespread calls for urgent reforms to ensure that the electoral body is free from political influence and can conduct a transparent election in 2027.

Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), emphasized that Ghana’s electoral body provides a model that Nigeria must strive to emulate.

He stressed the need for crucial reforms in Nigeria, including securing INEC’s independence, overhauling electoral laws, ensuring the enforceability of laws like the mandatory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and immediately transmitting results to INEC’s portal.

Okaba also highlighted the importance of fostering internal democracy within political parties and leveraging technology to modernize voter registration and result transmission.

He argued that reforms must ensure the proper use of security agencies, focusing on non-interference in the voting process.

Zik Gbemre, Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, similarly criticized INEC’s lack of progress since the 2023 elections.

He pointed out that despite improvements like the Results Viewing Portal (IREV), the credibility of the results uploaded on the system was questionable. Gbemre stated that the true issue lies not in the absence of laws but in the failure to enforce them and the impunity surrounding electoral malpractice.

He called for more stringent measures against election offenders to deter future violations.

Public commentator, Emmanuel Kuejubola also weighed in, arguing that INEC’s lack of willpower and the interference from the executive arm of government undermine the process.

Kuejubola noted that the system was rife with political influence, which rendered the implementation of electoral laws ineffective.

He urged Nigerians to unite in their demand for credible elections, irrespective of ethnic or religious considerations.

Hon. Stephen Adewale, a former chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo, suggested that while there is still time for INEC to reform, the current challenges make a credible election in 2027 uncertain.

He called for the presidency to ensure INEC’s autonomy, reduce political interference, and strengthen the Electoral Act to provide clear guidelines for party primaries, voter registration, and election dispute resolution.

Adewale also stressed the importance of enhancing security at polling units and intensifying voter education.

Looking at Ghana’s electoral success, analysts argued that Nigeria could potentially conduct even more credible elections if it draws lessons from its neighbor.

Ghana’s success, attributed to a robust legal framework, impartiality, and technology-driven processes, has set high expectations for Nigeria’s electoral future.

To achieve this, reforms are necessary to ensure INEC operates independently from political forces and that there are no compromises in the voting process.

For INEC to improve, stakeholders suggested transparency in the appointment of commissioners, financial autonomy for the commission, and clear consequences for electoral offenders.

The use of technology for voter registration, result transmission, and monitoring must be expanded, and new practices like voting by proxy and diaspora voting should be explored.

Charles Tejiri, an activist, acknowledged the challenges of achieving credible elections in Nigeria due to ethnic and religious divisions, but urged Nigerians to continue advocating for transparency.

He suggested that only through a determined and unbiased INEC leadership, free from political manipulation, could credible elections be possible.

Some experts, like Surv. Furoebi Akene of the Centre for Environmental Preservation & Development (CEPAD), believe that INEC is capable of conducting credible elections, but it is hindered by systemic corruption and interference from political elites.

Akene emphasized the importance of addressing these issues and fostering a culture of responsible citizenship to improve the electoral process.

Saviour Akpan, Executive Director of the COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building, concluded that Nigeria has the potential to conduct a more credible election than Ghana if its citizens demand it.

He stressed that electoral integrity begins with citizens who are willing to speak truth to power and uphold the values of participatory democracy.

Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has been granted bail and released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

The court approved a N500 million bail bond, along with the requirement for three sureties, each of whom must own property in premium areas of Abuja such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.

The bail was granted by Justice MaryAnne Anenih on Thursday.

The release was confirmed by Bello’s spokesperson, Adama Duza, who stated that the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was present when the former governor was freed.

Bello is currently facing a 16-count indictment, including charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alongside him, two other individuals, Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, are also facing the same charges.

Three of them pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the final forfeiture of a warehouse previously owned by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN).

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued the order on Thursday, December 19, 2024, effectively transferring ownership of the property to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The warehouse, located at Km 8 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, spans 1.925 hectares and contained 54 steel containers filled with various types of sewing machines.

Earlier, on November 28, the court had ordered an interim forfeiture of the warehouse after the EFCC filed an application for its seizure.

The court had also directed the EFCC to publish the order in two national newspapers, allowing any interested parties to contest the forfeiture.

After receiving no objections, the EFCC approached the court for the final forfeiture, which was granted on Thursday.

EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the Commission had complied with the publication requirement, and requested the final forfeiture under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

Edo state High Court sitting in Benin has reversed the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen and their deputies in Edo State.

The court, led by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, granted an order for the restoration of the officials following a suit filed by the affected chairmen and vice chairmen.

The court also issued a restraining order against Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State Government, preventing them from acting on the resolution passed by the state House of Assembly that led to the suspension of the officials.

In the ruling, the court directed that the status quo as of December 12, 2024, be maintained until the motion on notice, filed on the same date, is heard.

The judge adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, and ordered that a hearing notice be served to the defendants.

Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, has blamed the political leaders from northern Nigeria for the region’s continued state of poverty and underdevelopment, claiming that their mismanagement of opportunities over the past 40 years has left the North struggling.

Speaking as a guest at a town hall meeting for Christian leaders in northern Nigeria, Dogara urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to transform the country through the tax reform bills currently under review by the National Assembly.

The event, themed “Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising,” focused on governance and development issues.

Dogara lamented the poor state of the North, attributing it to the failure of northern political leaders who have had control of the country for decades.

He emphasized that the region’s poverty and stagnation should not be blamed on President Tinubu or the southern parts of the country.

“We, as northerners, must face the reality. The problem is not with President Tinubu or the South. They are not here to exploit us. We had the opportunity to lead for over 40 years, yet we achieved nothing. The North is still poor, largely because of the actions of our own leaders,” Dogara stated.

On the issue of federal allocations and Value Added Tax (VAT), Dogara questioned the management of resources, saying that the region had received substantial funds that were misused by local governors.

He also cited the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, a project started under the Shagari administration, which was left incomplete and eventually deteriorated despite being 98% finished.

“The Ajaokuta Steel Industry was nearly done, but it was abandoned and left to decay,” he said, underscoring the failure of past leadership to invest in the country’s development.

Dogara called on northerners to rally behind President Tinubu’s tax reform initiatives, which he believes will be crucial for national transformation.

In his remarks, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN), stressed the importance of Christian leaders engaging with the ongoing discussions on tax reforms.

He explained that CHAIN, founded in 2007, provides a platform for Christians to contribute to Nigeria’s growth in spiritual, social, and economic matters.

Hayab encouraged Christian leaders to support efforts aimed at addressing the nation’s tax system, which he described as critical for Nigeria’s development.

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate and leader of the Obidient Movement, has offered to meet the bail conditions set for human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.

This comes after Farotimi was granted a ₦30 million bail by the Federal High Court in relation to charges filed against him.

Farotimi, who is known for his vocal criticism of Nigeria’s political and legal systems, has received significant public attention and support throughout the legal proceedings.

The Obidient Movement, which Obi leads, has also rallied behind him, calling for fairness and transparency in the country’s judicial system.

In a statement from the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, it was confirmed that Obi expressed his appreciation for the courts and all parties involved in the case.

Obi emphasized the importance of resolving the matter in a manner that upholds justice for all stakeholders.

Obi’s offer to cover the bail conditions is seen as an act of solidarity with Farotimi, who has become a symbol of resistance against systemic injustice in Nigeria.

The case is set for a further hearing in January 2025.