A Nigerian citizen, Iyke Ibiam, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the 2027 general elections a decisive test of electoral credibility, and that Nigerians should be able to vote without fear and trust that their choices will be accurately reflected in the final results.
Ibiam made the appeal in an open letter addressed to the INEC Chairman and posted as a comment beneath the Commission’s Facebook publication announcing media accreditation for the September 19, 2026 bye-elections.
In the letter, Ibiam said the credibility of the 2027 election would have consequences far beyond the emergence of the next set of political office holders. He linked public trust in elections to confidence in democracy itself. He argued that citizens become disillusioned with democratic institutions when they believe their votes can be manipulated or ignored.
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He said Nigerians were confronting difficult economic and social conditions, including poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate electricity, poor infrastructure, and rising living costs, which have left many citizens dependent on elections as a legitimate avenue for demanding political change.
“For many citizens, the greatest hope for changing the direction of our country is through the ballot box,” Ibiam said.
He stressed that his appeal was not intended to favour any political party, candidate, region or religious group. Rather, he called on INEC to uphold the Constitution and guarantee equal treatment for all participants in the electoral process.
Among his 10 requests, Ibiam asked the Commission to strengthen transparency at every stage of the election, protect voters and electoral personnel from intimidation, and ensure that officials can discharge their duties without political interference.
He also called for greater safeguards around electoral technology and procedures, including accreditation, voting and result management. He wants result collation and declaration to be properly documented and verifiable, with complaints addressed promptly.
Ibiam further asked INEC to intensify its response to electoral malpractice, including vote buying, ballot manipulation, intimidation, and falsification of results, within the powers conferred on the Commission by law.
He also mentioned the role of observers, civil society organisations, and the media, where he asked INEC to maintain open channels with accredited domestic and international monitors before, during, and after the election.
The appeal comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum as INEC continues to conduct electoral activities ahead of the poll.
Ibiam said timely communication would also be crucial, particularly in helping citizens understand voter registration, polling arrangements, and other procedures that affect their participation.
He described the 2027 election as a “historic responsibility” for INEC and said the Commission had an opportunity to demonstrate that Nigeria’s democratic institutions could command public confidence.
“We do not want INEC to determine who wins an election. We want INEC to ensure that the Nigerian people determine who wins,” he wrote.
That distinction, as far as Ibiam is concerned, lies at the heart of electoral democracy. He said a credible poll would not only produce a government but could also reinforce citizens’ faith in democratic institutions and Nigeria’s standing as a country committed to constitutional governance.
He concluded with a simple appeal on behalf of citizens: “Let 2027 be an election in which Nigerians can confidently say: ‘Our votes counted. Our voices were heard. Our choice was respected.’”
The appeal therefore places the spotlight not only on the conduct of election day but also on the transparency, accountability, and institutional confidence that must accompany the entire electoral cycle.
