• Obi vows stronger defence of votes, says 2027 polls harder to manipulate
• Falana warns of violence, rigged primaries, declining judicial integrity
• Lawyer cites Anambra, Ekiti polls as evidence credible elections can work
• ADC queries redeployment of seven Electoral Officers in Rivers
• HURIWA demands answers over Wike’s claim to deliver Rivers, FCT to Tinubu
• Communication scholars demand INEC neutrality, reliable electoral technology
• Utomi-led MCE begins talks with opposition parties on consensus candidate

Barely months to the 2027 general elections, political and civil society voices have raised fresh concerns over electoral credibility, warning against manipulation, intimidation, violence and institutional weaknesses that could undermine Nigerians’ confidence in the polls.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, assured supporters that they would not be intimidated or prevented from having their votes counted during the elections.

Obi, who spoke yesterday at a town hall meeting with voters in Port Harcourt, tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria,” said the 2027 elections would be more difficult to manipulate than the 2023 polls.

He urged supporters to defend their votes at polling units, arguing that the limited number of election officials at each polling booth would make it difficult to intimidate voters.

“Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth. If you get to any polling booth today, the highest number of officials you see in any polling booth is five.

“The average number of voters is 40 to 50. There’s no way five people will intimidate 50 people. And we will make sure we have coordination to ensure that such intimidation does not arise,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor also warned against attempts to manipulate the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), saying the party would deploy mechanisms to counter possible technical challenges.

“There will be so many IReVs this time. This time around, if there is a network glitch, we will give them another one that has no glitch.

“By allowing them to continue, that glitch will glitch our lives. That’s what we are suffering today. This time all of us will rescue our country,” he said.

Obi called on Nigerians to insist that their votes count, saying citizens must take responsibility for protecting the electoral process.

Also, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said Nigeria needed a president with the experience, commitment and capacity to address the country’s challenges.

Kwankwaso urged voters not to repeat what he described as past mistakes, saying the 2027 election presented another opportunity to choose competent leadership.

“This is the time to get it right. And anything to the contrary, I believe people, if they make a mistake, certainly people will regret making that mistake. Because it will be too costly for the people and the country,” he said.

Kwankwaso also dismissed the suggestion that the ruling party’s control of more than 30 states would guarantee victory in the presidential election.

He cited the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election, despite being the incumbent, as evidence that control of states does not automatically translate into victory at the national level.

“Jonathan was the president; the sitting president lost the election. I’ve given you an example, especially those who think because they have over 30 governors, they cannot lose the election. That was a very big mistake,” he said.

Kwankwaso further criticised the performance of some governors, particularly in the northern part of the country, arguing that their records could affect their parties’ prospects in 2027.

Also speaking, the NDC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, thanked the party’s leadership and supporters for their resilience and patience.

Lulu-Briggs pledged that the party would work towards building a Nigeria that works for its citizens, while assuring party leaders that its supporters in Rivers State were prepared to participate actively in the political process.

“We want to thank you for your sacrifice. I want to assure you that we shall have a Nigeria that works,” he said.

Nigeria’s democracy faces critical test in 2027, Falana warns
HUMAN rights lawyer, Femi Falana, warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing threats of political violence, rigged party primaries, weak electoral credibility and declining judicial integrity.

Falana made the remarks while chairing the Bishop Mike Okonkwo yearly birthday lecture titled: “Democracy at the crossroads: Electoral credibility, judicial integrity and the future of Nigeria,” held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

The senior advocate said the 2027 general elections provide a rare opportunity for the nation to make a crucial decision about its future.

He described elections as the foundation of democracy and stressed that citizens have the right to participate freely and peacefully, without fear, intimidation or threat.

Falana noted that disputes arising from rigged elections are determined by election petition tribunals and the courts.

He, however, pointed to the recently concluded governorship elections in Anambra and Ekiti States as examples of credible polls.

He said no election petition was filed by any of the candidates who lost in the two states. He added that with the All Progressives Congress having accepted the results and congratulated the winner of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the result will not be challenged at the tribunal.

“The development confirms that if credible elections are conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electorate and not judges will determine the outcome of elections in Nigeria,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to ensure the complete autonomy of INEC.

Falana also expressed concerns over threats of violence by political actors, saying unless those involved are prosecuted, the country will continue to witness violence in subsequent elections.

The senior advocate recalled that a former Head of State once described a general election as “a do or die battle,” and the election turned bloody with many people killed, while the political leader who made the threat and his agents were never prosecuted.

Falana also cited former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party’s (PRP) presidential candidate for 2027, Donald Duke, who alleged that some Nigerian politicians resort to human sacrifice in their desperation to acquire political power.

Duke warned that growing desperation among political actors ahead of 2027 could trigger widespread violence and plunge the country into crisis.

Falana said the government must be compelled to end the reckless killing of unarmed citizens by terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers and gunmen.

He also criticised some Nigerian political leaders who have appealed to United States President Donald Trump to monitor the 2027 elections to prevent rigging.

He said Trump is not qualified to save democracy in any country, citing his interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election when he asked Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to “find 11,780 votes” and overturn the state’s results.

Falana reminded that democracy is not only about elections, but also about accountable leadership, service, welfare and security of the people.

He urged the police and anti-graft agencies to stop vote buying and called for funds kept for bribing voters to be invested in poverty alleviation programmes.

He said the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress should lead Nigerians to demand the implementation of welfare laws in addition to a new minimum wage.

He said Nigerians must be mobilised to fight for popular democracy as opposed to the imposition of candidates by godfathers.

Falana also called on the Church to monitor the budgets of federal, state and local governments, and to establish a human rights body to monitor the rights of its members and other Nigerians.

ADC to participate fully in 2027 elections despite lingering concerns
ALSO, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it will participate fully in the general elections despite concerns over some decisions and activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chizy Enyi, made this known in Port Harcourt yesterday.

Enyi said the party was concerned about the transparency of INEC’s preparations but would not withdraw from the elections.

“We are prepared to challenge any action we consider illegal and will do everything possible to protect the votes of Nigerians,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the recent redeployment of Electoral Officers across local government areas in Rivers State.

He said the party had received information that seven Electoral Officers previously working in the state had been redeployed and called on INEC to explain the reasons for the decision.

Enyi said the party was also concerned by reports that some of the affected officials may have been moved because of perceptions about their professional independence.

He, however, stressed that the allegations should not be treated as facts until INEC responds.

“We are not presenting these allegations as facts, but we are demanding that INEC confirm or deny them transparently, because Rivers people deserve clear answers,” he said.

Enyi also urged INEC to ensure that the recruitment of ad hoc election workers remains transparent and free from political influence.

HURIWA questions Wike’s claim to deliver Rivers, FCT to Tinubu in 2027
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday said it viewed with grave concern the recent declaration by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that he is in charge of the political structures in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and is certain of delivering both territories to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the declaration during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he described himself as the general commander of the political structure in Rivers State and asserted that he is equally in charge in the FCT.

He was quoted as saying: “It is certain that I will deliver two states, FCT and Rivers for Tinubu. You don’t need a governor to be in charge. I’m the general commander of the political structure in Rivers. In Rivers, I’m in charge. So also the FCT.”

HURIWA said that the statement should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric as it raises fundamental questions about the integrity, neutrality and credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Is the FCT Minister merely expressing political ambition, or does he possess information that Nigerians do not have about the expected outcome of the 2027 presidential election? These are legitimate questions that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must address.

HURIWA said it believed that the credibility of any election does not begin on Election Day but with public confidence in the neutrality and independence of the electoral umpire and the certainty that no individual, political office holder or political structure has the capacity to predetermine the outcome.

The body frowned on Wike’s declaration that he is certain of delivering Rivers State and the FCT to President Tinubu is provocative and insensitive, particularly in a country where Nigerians have repeatedly demanded stronger safeguards against electoral manipulation, political interference and abuse of state institutions.

HURIWA called on INEC to urgently introduce and publicise additional confidence-building measures capable of reassuring Nigerians that the 2027 elections will be conducted transparently, independently and without interference from political actors.

Communication scholars demand INEC neutrality, reliable technology
THIS came as the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and communication scholars charged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure neutrality and strengthen its digital systems, while urging journalists to shun inflammatory reports and promote peace, accuracy and social responsibility.

The call was made in Abuja by the National President of ACSPN, Prof Rotimi Williams Olatunji; public relations expert, Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogun; a Mass Communication scholar and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Prof Uwaoma Uche; and Associate Professor, Department of Broadcasting, University of Port Harcourt, Dr Titilayo Remilekun Osuagwu.

They spoke at the 13th Annual International Conference of ACSPN, held at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja, with the theme, “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruption and the New Dynamics of Electoral Communication.”

The conference brought together communication scholars, media practitioners, policymakers, electoral authorities and other stakeholders to examine the changing digital environment and its implications for elections and democratic governance.

Olatunji urged INEC to ensure that its digital platforms, applications and other technological equipment were fully operational ahead of the 2027 elections to prevent glitches that could undermine the electoral process.

He also called on the commission to collaborate with telecommunications companies to guarantee internet accessibility, particularly in rural communities.

Utomi-led MCE begins opposition coalition talks
MEANWHILE, the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has commenced engagements with opposition political parties and presidential candidates as part of efforts to build a common political platform and consensus candidacy.

The MCE Political Commission, chaired by the convener of the movement and one of its founding leaders, Prof Patrick Utomi, was constituted in July to lead consultations with presidential candidates and leaders of opposition parties.

In a statement yesterday, the Media Coordinator of MCE, James Ezema, said the commission had shortlisted seven opposition parties and their presidential candidates for final engagements and possible endorsement.

Ezema said the names and profiles of the shortlisted parties and candidates would be unveiled at a press conference next week, where the commission would also announce its work plan, modalities and working sub-committees.

He said the MCE National Secretariat would assess the profiles, ideologies, electoral programmes, curricula vitae and other credentials of the candidates and parties as part of the process of determining the opposition candidate and platform it would support.

The statement said members of the commission, including Hadjia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Mrs Modupe Adelaja, Solomon Dalung, Uche Onyeagocha, Dr Olusegun Mayegun, Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Mike Iginni, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Olawale Okunniyi and Dr Adum Ter Alex, among others to be co-opted, would participate in the engagements.