A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega,

has raised the alarm over growing voter apathy in Nigeria, warning that continued disengagement from the electoral process could undermine democratic governance.

Jega spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt while delivering a lecture titled “Importance of Credible Elections for Nigeria’s National Development” at the third Legacy Lecture Series of the Nimi Briggs Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt.

The former INEC boss, also a professor of Political Science at Bayero University, described voter withdrawal from elections as dangerous, saying it creates room for unqualified leaders and political touts to dominate.

“If people continue to decline participation, those with questionable intentions will continue to dominate. We must get more citizens constructively involved in the electoral process to safeguard the integrity of our elections and improve governance outcomes,” he said.

Jega observed that while voter apathy is rising, campaign funds continue to increase, a trend he described as ironic and troubling. He called on all stakeholders to recognise their responsibilities and work collectively to improve election credibility and integrity.

He lamented that many young Nigerians who register to vote often fail to turn out on election day, even as they demand reforms such as electronic transmission of results and e-voting. While supporting technological innovations to enhance electoral integrity, Jega cautioned that reforms must align with Nigeria’s operational realities.

“We must introduce technology in a manner that suits our context. Even simple innovations in voter accreditation have posed serious challenges because we are not manufacturers of such equipment,” he said.

Highlighting the centrality of electoral integrity to democratic development, Jega argued that citizens must trust that their votes count and that election outcomes reflect the genuine will of the electorate. Credible elections, he said, encourage acceptance of results, reduce frivolous litigation and violent reactions, and foster responsible governance.

“Electoral integrity offers the best opportunity to produce public officials who will address citizens’ needs and aspirations, thereby translating democratic governance into national development,” he stated.

Calling for urgent reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, Jega urged collective mobilisation to prevent democratic backsliding. While acknowledging that the 2026 Electoral Act (Amendment) improves on the 2022 Act in several respects, he recommended that INEC urgently gazette comprehensive guidelines clarifying provisions on electronic transmission of results and the distinction between its electronic collation system and the IReV portal, which he described as a public transparency platform.

“We must all work to ensure that the 2027 elections have far greater integrity than previous ones,” he said, urging Nigerians to move beyond the era of “siddon look” and actively engage in electoral reforms and processes.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari George, said the lecture topic reflected the broad intellectual interests of the late Prof. Nimi Briggs, whose legacy the series seeks to uphold.

“National development rests on systems that people believe in, not merely on outcomes they receive,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Ngozi Clare Orazulike, occupant of the Nimi Briggs Chair, described the late Briggs as an academic of immense influence whose contributions to scholarship and leadership were widely acknowledged.

The Briggs family thanked Jega for delivering an “incredible lecture,” commended the University for sustaining the late professor’s legacy, and expressed concern over rising voter apathy despite increasing campaign funds. They urged well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that shape societal values and strengthen democracy.