“INEC Inspires No Confidence, Should Just Write Results, No Need For 2027 Elections” — Odinkalu

Human rights lawyer and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its current leadership has not demonstrated a commitment to conducting credible elections.

Speaking during an interview on Mic On with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Odinkalu noted that the trajectory towards the next general election was already becoming apparent, warning that electoral outcomes could be predetermined rather than decided by voters.

According to him, election rigging has long been a feature of Nigeria’s political system, and there was little indication that the trend would change before the next presidential poll.

“People will tell you election rigging did not start now, and it will not end in 2027,” Odinkalu said.

“But the trajectory of what could happen in 2027 is fairly predictable. INEC does not have to go through the charade of an election. They can write results.”

When asked whether his assessment amounted to a warning that the 2027 election could be rigged, Odinkalu maintained that the signs were already evident.

“I just told you what it’s looking like from where I’m sitting,” he said, further maintaining that the electoral umpire has failed to inspire public confidence.

“INEC, under current leadership, has not shown that it is interested in elections that are credible,” he said, pointing to recent elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as an example.

“You live in the FCT, don’t you? At least at the moment. Let me ask you, then, as a voter in the FCT, you enjoyed the FCT elections, didn’t you?”

Odinkalu insisted that the conduct of the FCT polls raised questions about the commission’s commitment to credible elections.

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