Emma Elekwa
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra State has raised alarm over Nigeria’s electoral framework, declaring that the 2027 general election is already skewed in favour of incumbents unless urgent reforms are carried out.
State Secretary of IPAC, Uzochukwu Eminent, made the assertion on Wednesday during a regional conference on information narratives for the 2027 elections in Southeast Nigeria, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development with support from the National Democratic Institute.
“For me, the election is already rigged in favour of the incumbent. I don’t have confidence in the Act to produce credible elections except it is amended,” Eminent said.
He criticised the current Electoral Act as “anti-people,” questioning the credibility of majority rule under what he described as a flawed legal framework.
“They often say the minority will have their say but the majority will have the way. What kind of majority is that? They should make the law we want and not the otherwise,” he added.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over public distrust in Nigeria’s electoral system, a concern also echoed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which called for reforms to rebuild citizens’ confidence.
Accountability and stewardship forum
Acting State Director of NOA, Chijioke, urged the reintroduction of accountability and stewardship forums where elected officials regularly present their performance to constituents.
She lamented that the absence of such platforms has widened the disconnect between leaders and the electorate, contributing to declining trust in elections.
“People have lost confidence in the country’s elections. We need extra efforts and commitment to make them believe in the system again,” she said.
Chijioke also stressed the need for transparent and efficient transmission of election results, describing it as critical to restoring credibility ahead of 2027.
Despite the concerns, she encouraged citizens not to abandon the democratic process, reiterating the agency’s commitment to mobilising voter registration and participation.
Essence of conference
Earlier, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Dr. Dauda Garuba, said the conference was convened to assess how information narratives shaped the 2025 Anambra governorship election and to develop strategies against misinformation, disinformation, and political polarisation.
Represented by election consultant Chibuike Mgbeahuruike, Garuba noted that the meeting also aimed to strengthen electoral resilience, promote civic engagement, and tackle voter apathy across the Southeast.
He added that lessons from the Anambra poll would help stakeholders design more effective responses to information disorder and improve the credibility of future elections.
The conference featured various panel sessions treating different issues that often determine the credibility or otherwise of elections in the country.
These include: information narratives, disinformation and polarization in electoral processes, technical failures, system resilience and electoral management as well as electoral apathy and civic engagement.
