By Abdulkarim Ibrahim
The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has warned that voter ignorance poses the biggest threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. According to the organization, technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are not enough to guarantee transparent polls without adequate civic education.
PAACA’s Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, emphasized that ignorance of electoral laws, procedures, and tools creates fertile ground for manipulation by political actors. He stressed that genuine reform must begin with equipping citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions and hold the system accountable.
Nwagwu highlighted key innovations such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, designed to improve transparency and limit rigging. However, he noted that many voters and even political parties still do not fully understand how these systems work, which allows misinformation and blame-shifting to flourish.
The PAACA boss faulted political parties for fielding untrained or non-committed polling agents who abandon their duties mid-election and later blame INEC for electoral irregularities. He emphasized the need for informed participation and civic knowledge to defend votes and ensure credible elections.
A Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting on Electoral Reform held in Owerri, Imo State, drew participants from various stakeholders, including civil society groups, security agencies, traditional institutions, political parties, and the media. The event was supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
The Imo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oparaugo Stellamaris Chimezirim, reiterated the agency’s commitment to citizen engagement, equity, and justice. She emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy can only grow through continuous voter education and active civic involvement.
Representatives of security agencies and civil society echoed the need for collaboration, education, and reform to improve electoral credibility and reduce violence. They proposed people-driven recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of 2027.
Key recommendations included sustained grassroots civic education, intensified deployment and public awareness of technological tools, and stronger legal backing for electronic transmission of results. Participants also urged INEC to improve accessibility for voters in hard-to-reach areas and those living with disabilities.
The stakeholders called for greater collaboration among election stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society, and traditional institutions, to ensure credible and transparent elections. They emphasized the importance of neutrality among polling officials and the need for sustained efforts to promote voter education and awareness.