As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 General Elections, a prominent opposition figure has issued a stern warning to the nation's electoral umpire, demanding flawless conduct. This call comes alongside new research highlighting both strong voter intention and significant barriers to participation.
A Direct Warning to INEC's New Chairman
Chief Bode George, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has told the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, that Nigerians will not tolerate any excuses about technical failures during the polls.
George delivered this warning during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' programme on Monday, December 30, 2025. He urged the INEC boss not to repeat what he described as the "intentional" mistakes of his predecessor during the controversial 2023 General Elections.
"Remember the last election, too, when Buhari bought the necessary tools. What did we do? They said there was a glitch," George stated, referencing previous technical issues. "So, let's reverse back. Mr Amupitan, there should be no glitch in this system."
High Voter Desire Meets Deep Distrust and Fear
George's remarks coincide with the release of a major national survey by the civil society organisation Yiaga Africa. The poll reveals a complex picture of the electorate's mood.
The survey, conducted between December 1 and 5, 2025, found that a significant 77 per cent of Nigerians are likely or very likely to vote in the 2027 elections. This high intention, however, is threatened by pervasive insecurity and institutional distrust.
Fear of violence is the single biggest barrier, cited by 42 per cent of respondents. Yiaga Africa noted that northern Nigeria, which recorded the highest likelihood to vote, also faces the most severe security challenges like insurgency and banditry.
The organisation stated, "The challenge for 2027 is ensuring that the 77 per cent who want to vote can actually do so safely and with confidence in the process."
Key Findings from the Yiaga Africa Survey
The survey, which involved 1,500 adults across all states and the FCT, uncovered several critical trends:
- Top Voting Factors: Security and quality of candidates (21% each) now outweigh party loyalty, followed by economic conditions (17%).
- Confidence Crisis: While 76% believe their vote matters, only 45% expressed confidence in INEC. Distrust is higher in the South-South and South-East.
- Awareness Gap: Despite reforms, 67% of Nigerians said they were unaware of recent changes to electoral laws.
The poll was commissioned by Yiaga Africa and carried out by NOI Polls with support from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It has a 95% confidence level and a 4.26% margin of error.
The Path to 2027: A Call for Concerted Action
In light of these findings, Yiaga Africa has called on multiple stakeholders to take urgent action. The group urged security agencies, INEC, the National Assembly, political parties, civil society, and the media to collaborate on three fronts:
- Address the widespread insecurity that deters voters.
- Rebuild public trust in electoral institutions.
- Improve voter education to bridge the awareness gap.
The message from Bode George and the data from Yiaga Africa paint a clear picture: Nigerian voters are eager to participate in 2027, but their willingness hinges on a credible, secure, and glitch-free process. The onus is now on the authorities to deliver.
