Building a credible electoral umpire is one of the fundamental pillars of any functioning democracy. An electoral body must possess the institutional capacity to conduct peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections. It is not expected to reflect the personal character of its operators; rather, its operators must conform strictly to its rules, principles, and institutional framework.
The first and most basic step toward achieving this is to make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) constitutionally and legally independent of executive control. Once the executive arm of government exerts influence over the electoral umpire, it inevitably becomes a puppet—losing its neutrality and credibility.
Professor Attahiru Jega was one of our lecturers at Bayero University, Kano. When he was appointed INEC Chairman, many who knew him congratulated Nigeria because of his reputation as a “Mai Gaskiya” (a man of integrity). While I was personally happy for him and the opportunity he had to translate academic knowledge into practical governance, I remained concerned. My worry was rooted in a fundamental question: what happens after Jega? This concern reflects a deeper issue—Nigeria’s tendency to rely on personalities rather than building strong, enduring institutions.
True political reformation in Nigeria must begin with the transformation of our institutions. This requires deliberate reorientation—embedding democratic values, integrity, objectivity, and transparency into the very fabric of the electoral system. However, a critical question remains: can our political leaders thrive in a system that is truly independent, objective, and devoid of human bias?
One of the key reasons behind the democratic stability of countries like South Africa, India, Canada, and the United States is the autonomy of their electoral institutions. Nigeria must learn from these examples by strengthening its own structures rather than depending on individuals.
In addition to constitutional and legal independence, the process of appointing electoral commissioners and key officials must be reformed. Appointments should be subjected to multiparty consultation and rigorous parliamentary approval. Civil society organizations should also play an active role in nominating and screening candidates. This inclusive approach will significantly reduce executive dominance and promote broader national ownership of the electoral process.
Furthermore, the funding of the electoral body must be insulated from executive control. Electoral funding should be made automatic through legislation, charged directly on the Consolidated Revenue Fund. As the saying goes, “he who pays the piper dictates the tune.” If the presidency determines the funding of INEC, its independence and objectivity will always be at risk.
Another critical reform is the full institutionalization of electoral technology with strong transparency safeguards. The deployment of electronic accreditation and real-time transmission of results must not only be implemented but also protected by law from arbitrary suspension or manipulation. In addition, independent audits of electoral technologies should be conducted by credible local and international bodies before, during, and after elections. Results collation processes must be open, verifiable, and accessible in real time to political parties, observers, and citizens. Transparency must not be optional—it must be the default standard.
Equally important is the professionalization and insulation of electoral personnel from political pressure. Recruitment, training, and promotion within the electoral body should be strictly merit-based and managed by an independent electoral service structure. Ad-hoc staff, who play critical roles at polling units, must be carefully selected through transparent processes and given standardized training to ensure competence and neutrality. Moreover, strict legal consequences must be enforced for electoral offenses such as vote-buying, result manipulation, and voter intimidation. Establishing a special electoral offenses tribunal with swift prosecutorial powers will send a strong message that impunity will no longer be tolerated in Nigeria’s democracy.
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The success of the 2027 elections will not depend on promises or personalities, but on the strength and credibility of our institutions. Electoral reform is not optional—it is compulsory. If we must win as a nation, we must first build a system that guarantees that every vote truly counts.
– Rev’d Omale Wisdom Abah writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
