By Amos Aar
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, a familiar debate is resurfacing across the Country: what truly determines the outcome of elections, the votes cast by citizens on election day or the processes that precede them?
From contentious party primaries to growing concerns over provisions of the amended Electoral Act, most Nigerians argue that the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy may no longer lie at the polling units alone, but within the political and legal frameworks that shape electoral contests long before voters cast their ballots.
The conversation has gained renewed attention following recent warnings by former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini on Arise TV who cautioned that some provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections if they are not reviewed.
His intervention has added fresh momentum to an already growing national discussion on the quality of Nigeria’s democratic process and the ability of existing institutions to guarantee credible elections.
Igini’s strongest concerns centred on Sections 63, 137 and 138 of the Electoral Act. Regarding Section 63, he argued that the provision could allow excessive discretion in determining the validity of ballot papers.
Igini described the section as a “foundation-level threat” to credible elections and warned that subjective interpretations by election officials could create opportunities for abuse.
On Section 138, Igini argued that acts contrary to INEC directives may become difficult grounds upon which elections can be challenged, potentially weakening accountability mechanisms.
He also criticised Section 137, contending that it reduces scrutiny of electoral officials whose actions may affect the conduct of elections.
His submission was stark, that “If these provisions are not repealed immediately, the integrity of the 2027 election will be in flames,” he warned.
While legal experts continue to debate the implications of the Electoral Act, another issue has generated equally intense public interest, the conduct of party primaries.
Across several states, aspirants, party members have questioned the transparency of internal party elections, alleging irregularities ranging from candidate imposition and manipulation of voters’ lists to disputes over vote counts and the administration of the exercises.
Political analysts note that party primaries have become increasingly significant because, in many constituencies where one political party enjoys overwhelming popularity, securing the party’s nomination often represents the most decisive stage of the electoral process.
Consequently, controversies surrounding candidate selection have attracted almost as much public scrutiny as the general elections themselves.
One of the issues that generated serious public debate during the recent party primaries, particularly those of the APC, was the manner in which votes were counted in some voting centres.
Videos circulated on social media appeared to show officials counting voters in queues sequentially before the tally allegedly jumped abruptly from figures such as 30, 31 and 32 to 39, 50, 70, 89, and later to 100, 150, 170 and even 300.
The footage prompted questions from party members, aggrieved aspirants and members of the public about the accuracy of the counting process and the credibility of some of the declared results.
While the party has defended the conduct of its primaries, analysts say the controversy underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in internal party elections.
In Benue State, the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency became one of the most talked-about examples of post-primary discontent.
Two aspirants, former Commissioner for Information, Hon. Lawrence Ekpo Onoja, and Hon. Andrew Agbo Abu, separately rejected the outcome of the exercise, alleging serious irregularities and manipulation of the process.
Addressing journalists after submitting petitions to the APC leadership at the party’s state secretariat, Makurdi, Onoja alleged that materials meant for the primary election were diverted before voting commenced.
According to him, “The materials were taken to the house of the deputy governor in Otukpo and handed over to Blessing and she took them to Ochacho Hotel, Room 003 to be precise, where they wrote all the results.”
Onoja further maintained that no valid primary election took place in the constituency.
“I’m here to state categorically that there was no primaries whatsoever in Otukpo/Ohimini,” he declared, while also raising concerns over the alleged “violation of the constituency’s long-standing zoning arrangement between Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas”.
He argued that many residents expected the seat to rotate to Ohimini in line with existing political understanding and warned that disregarding such expectations could have electoral consequences for the party during the general election.
Echoing similar concerns, another APC aspirant, Hon. Andrew Agbo Abu, described the exercise as an “illegal selection” rather than a democratic primary. He cautioned that the party risked alienating its grassroots supporters if internal democratic principles were not respected.
“We have the general elections coming in front of us. If the party is not careful with what it does at the grassroots, the party will suffer a lot of defeat. There was no election in Otukpo/Ohimini. It was an illegal selection that was done,” Abu alleged.
He appealed to the party leadership to investigate the complaints raised by aspirants and ensure that similar controversies did not recur in future electoral exercises.
In Makurdi South State Constituency, the controversy assumed a similar pattern. The member representing the constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Douglas Ackya, rejected the outcome of the APC primary, alleging that while elections were successfully conducted in Fiidi, Bar, Modern Market and Wailomayo wards where he claimed to have secured the highest votes, materials never reached Central South Mission and Angwan Jukun wards.
He also questioned the handling of the results, alleging that constituency returning officers were unavailable to receive them and that some officials assigned to conduct the exercise were openly aligned with a rival aspirant.
Ackya insisted that transparent primaries remain the foundation of credible elections and warned that internal democracy would suffer if party members lost confidence in the fairness of candidate selection.
Although the APC has maintained that its primaries were conducted in line with its guidelines, the grievances expressed by Onoja, Abu, Ackya and other aggrieved aspirants underscore a broader concern that extends beyond one party or one state.
Similar disputes have surfaced in several political parties across the country, raising fresh questions about the transparency of internal party processes and the capacity of political institutions to inspire public confidence.
Although the APC has maintained that its primaries across the state were conducted in accordance with its guidelines, some aggrieved aspirants have continued to pursue internal party mechanisms to challenge the outcomes.
To others, the debate goes beyond who wins or loses a party ticket. They argue that when party members question how candidates emerge, when electoral laws generate conflicting interpretations. In addition, election outcomes increasingly become subjects of prolonged litigation, public trust in the democratic process is inevitably weakened.
While Nigeria has recorded notable democratic milestones since the return to civil rule in 1999, analysts contend that sustaining those gains will require stronger internal party democracy, clearer electoral laws, impartial institutions and greater respect for the will of party members and voters alike.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, the challenge before political parties, lawmakers, INEC and the judiciary is not merely to conduct another election, but to restore confidence in every stage of the electoral process, from party primaries to polling units and, where necessary, the resolution of disputes.
Ultimately, the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy will depend not only on the votes counted on election day but also on the transparency, fairness and accountability that define the entire journey to the ballot.
