Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over what he described as the absence of a clear commitment from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, said Nigerians had expected the commission to take the lead in driving reforms in collaboration with the National Assembly.
Speaking during a meeting with a European Union (EU) delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and head of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission, Atiku said the visit was aimed at reviewing recommendations earlier submitted by the EU team after last year’s polls.
According to him, the electorate is still waiting to see real steps that would guarantee free, fair and transparent elections ahead of 2027.
“It is disturbing that nearly two years after the last elections, we have not seen convincing signs that INEC is committed to meaningful electoral reforms,” Atiku said.
He added that Nigerians are eager for legislation that will secure credible elections where “every ballot truly counts.”
He also pledged continued support for civil society organisations and international partners, including the EU, in advocating for reforms.
“The future of our democracy depends on building a system where votes translate into the people’s will. Until that is achieved, questions about credibility will remain,” Atiku noted.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday urged lawmakers to expedite the review of the electoral legal framework.
Yakubu said the commission had already assessed the eight recommendations addressed to it in the EU mission’s final report.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework can unsettle the work of the commission as elections approach,” Yakubu stated, stressing the need for timely legislative action.
Atiku, however, insisted that urgency was key. “The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy will be tested again in 2027. Reforms cannot wait,” he warned.
The EU delegation, led by Andrews alongside EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, is currently on a follow-up mission to assess the level of implementation of the recommendations made after the 2023 general elections.