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Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has stressed the need for reforms to strengthen the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying public trust in INEC remains a key pillar of democratic stability in Nigeria.
Akande, in an interview, noted that greater transparency and accountability in the commission’s operations are necessary to restore confidence among voters and reinforce the integrity of the country’s electoral process.
He urged relevant stakeholders to take deliberate steps toward improving electoral integrity, emphasizing that credible elections remain essential for good governance, democratic stability and national development.
Akande’s position is consistent with his earlier public criticism of the electoral body. In September 2023, he said INEC had damaged public trust following its failure to electronically transmit results during the presidential and National Assembly elections as many voters had expected.
The broader debate over electoral credibility has also remained active in 2026. In January, a Yiaga Africa survey reported that only 45 per cent of Nigerians expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct credible elections ahead of 2027.
INEC has since announced steps aimed at addressing integrity concerns, including a nationwide voter revalidation and cleanup exercise to remove duplicate, underage, deceased, non-citizen and inaccurate voter records from the register. The commission has said a credible voters’ register is central to public confidence in elections.
The commission has also said it wants to deepen dialogue with political parties and other stakeholders as preparations continue toward the next electoral cycle, even as civil society groups continue to demand stronger reforms to rebuild trust in the system.
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Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer
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