The build-up to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections has taken a fresh turn following comments by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, who cautioned Nigerians against expecting a flawless electoral process.
The remark, which has stirred political conversations nationwide, was dissected on Adamimogo 105.1FM’s Inside Scoop where Gidado Muhammad Bashir, PhD, Cultural Officer at the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), offered a measured perspective.
Dr Bashir said while it is the responsibility of INEC to assure citizens of credible and improved elections, Nigerians must also acknowledge the human realities that shape democratic processes. According to him, no electoral system anywhere in the world delivers absolute perfection, and the focus should instead be on measurable progress.
He noted that the 2027 elections must represent an improvement on the 2023 exercise, particularly in areas of logistics, transparency and voter confidence. However, he stressed that expecting a system entirely free of glitches may be unrealistic given Nigeria’s size and complexity.
On the contentious issue of real-time electronic transmission of results, Bashir described it as achievable but dependent on infrastructure readiness. He pointed out that several rural communities still struggle with network connectivity, and in some areas, security concerns complicate technological deployment.
“In parts of Nigeria, citizens still move to specific locations before accessing stable network signals,” he explained, questioning whether election gadgets can function seamlessly across all terrains at once. For him, a phased or balanced implementation may be more practical than an all-or-nothing expectation.
Addressing accusations that INEC’s statement amounts to preparing excuses for failure, Bashir urged Nigerians not to jump to conclusions. He observed that Professor Amupitan recently assumed office and faces immense pressure, but added that public scrutiny remains essential in a democracy.
He maintained that while it is healthy to hold the electoral body accountable, citizens should also allow room for institutional preparation. Improvement, he argued, requires both oversight and fairness in judgment.
On the newly released electoral timetable, which gives political parties 91 days to conclude primaries and resolve disputes, Bashir described the deadlines as realistic. He noted that adjustments made to avoid clashes with the Ramadan fasting period reflect sensitivity to religious inclusion rather than political manipulation.
Regarding the requirement for parties to submit digital membership registers ahead of primaries, he insisted compliance is achievable. Parties serious about contesting power, he said, must demonstrate organisational discipline and internal cohesion rather than blame structural exclusion for unpreparedness.
Ultimately, Bashir called on political actors and citizens alike to prioritise national interest over partisan rhetoric.
