People are not voting because they have lost confidence in the electoral system.
Dr Sam Amadi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has declared administrative failures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary as the primary threats to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch of the National Action Plan on Electoral Reform in Abuja, Amadi emphasized the need for systemic reforms ahead of the 2027 polls. “The real threats to electoral integrity come from INEC and the judiciary,” he stated, urging a departure from past ineffective reforms
The event, organized by labour unions and think tanks, highlighted growing public distrust in elections, evidenced by declining voter turnout and opposition defections to the ruling APC. Amadi criticized INEC’s handling of the 2023 polls, citing unresolved technical glitches and judicial rulings that undermined transparency
The proposed action plan seeks legislative and operational changes, including restructuring INEC’s appointment process and enforcing penalties for electoral offenses. “Without institutional accountability, democracy remains endangered,” Amadi concluded