Fears Mount Over Nigeria’s 2027 Elections Amid Allegations of Rigging Agenda
By Elena Vasquez, International Correspondent
September 8, 2025, ABUJA, Nigeria – As Nigeria approaches its 2027 general elections, fresh concerns are emerging over the integrity of the electoral process, fueled by insider allegations of a sophisticated rigging agenda within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Sources claim politicians have infiltrated INEC’s systems, plotting to manipulate results through tactics like dual result forms and compromised technology, threatening what could be the country’s “worst election” if unchecked. These revelations, reported by Vanguard on September 7, 2025, have heightened fears of electoral fraud, echoing broader global concerns about democratic erosion and institutional trust.
Allegations of a Rigging Plot
According to Vanguard, INEC insiders have warned that politicians are orchestrating a scheme to undermine the 2027 polls, with strategies including:
- Dual Result Forms: Producing two sets of EC8 forms (EC8A for polling units, EC8B for wards, and EC8C for local governments)—one for public display and another for strategic vote allocation to create discrepancies between physical and uploaded results on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
- Technology Manipulation: Alleged exploitation of INEC’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and IReV, with reports of pre-prepared results uploaded before polling closed in off-cycle elections in Kogi (2023), Edo (2024), and Ondo (2024).
- Insider Compromise: Politicians reportedly planting loyalists within INEC, with Prof. Adele Jinadu alleging the appointment of “known party members” as commissioners, undermining the commission’s independence.
A particularly alarming claim involves former Delta State Governor James Ibori, a convicted felon, allegedly lobbying President Bola Tinubu to appoint his kinsman, Moses Ogbe, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, as INEC Chairman. A source told Sahara Reporters on March 5, 2025, “Moses Ogbe is a master election rigger. If he becomes INEC Chairman, the 2027 election will be worse than 2023 and 2007 combined.”
Evidence from Recent Elections
Civil society groups and election observers have flagged irregularities in recent by-elections and off-cycle polls, amplifying fears for 2027. Vanguard reported that in Edo’s 2024 election, votes tallied exceeded accredited voters, a clear sign of manipulation. By-elections on August 16, 2025, across 18 constituencies in 12 states showed issues like vote-buying, voter intimidation, and delays in IReV uploads, per Lagos Voice. These trends echo concerns raised by the Elections Observers Group (ELOG) in Kenya about rigging fears for their own 2027 polls, suggesting a regional pattern.
Political and Public Reactions
The allegations have sparked outrage and calls for reform. Opposition leaders, including Wiper Party’s Kalonzo Musyoka in Kenya, have accused ruling governments of rigging plans, with Musyoka criticizing compromised electoral commission appointments. In Nigeria, civil society groups demand urgent action to restore trust in INEC, with stakeholders at a Lagos conference on April 4, 2025, advocating for INEC’s financial and operational autonomy to curb political influence.
Public sentiment on X reflects deep skepticism, with one user posting, “2027 is already rigged if INEC doesn’t change. Same old story.” Another wrote, “Politicians and INEC are a cartel. Nigerians deserve better.” However, some defend Tinubu’s administration, arguing reforms are underway, with a post noting, “Give Tinubu time. He’s fixing the mess from past elections.”
Context: A Fragile Democracy
Nigeria’s electoral history is marred by controversies, with the 2007 election widely criticized as flawed, prompting reforms under President Umaru Yar’Adua. The 2023 election, while improved with BVAS and IReV, faced allegations of irregularities, fueling distrust. Sahara Reporters notes that Ibori’s influence, including securing key appointments like Chinedu Ebie’s role at the Niger Delta Development Commission, signals entrenched political manipulation.
Globally, these concerns resonate with fears of democratic backsliding, as seen in Kenya’s rigging allegations and U.S. election denialism debates, per Brennan Center. Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) faces parallel scrutiny over transparency, as reported by Punch Newspapers, highlighting a broader demand for institutional accountability.
Impact and Next Steps
The allegations could erode public trust in Nigeria’s democracy, risking low voter turnout or unrest, as warned by The Standard. Civil society is pushing for:
- Legislative Reforms: Laws granting INEC financial autonomy and transparent commissioner appointments.
- Technology Safeguards: Enhanced security for BVAS and IReV to prevent tampering.
- Public Oversight: Increased monitoring by groups like Yiaga Africa to ensure accountability.
INEC’s new Chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, dismissed rigging fears on July 19, 2025, urging calm and promising transparent by-elections, per The Standard. However, without concrete reforms, skepticism persists. The opposition, including figures like Tambuwal, is mobilizing a coalition to challenge Tinubu, though internal divisions may weaken their efforts, as noted in The Guardian.
Conclusion
Fears over Nigeria’s 2027 elections, fueled by allegations of a rigging agenda within INEC, underscore the fragility of the nation’s democratic process. With insiders exposing tactics like dual result forms and compromised technology, urgent reforms are needed to restore trust. As Nigeria navigates these challenges, the takeaway is clear: safeguarding democracy demands vigilance, transparency, and unity to ensure the 2027 polls reflect the people’s will, not a manipulated outcome.
Sources: Vanguard News, Sahara Reporters, Lagos Voice, The Guardian, The Standard, X posts