The 2027 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission against any failure of its electoral technology in the 2027 general elections, saying Nigerians will no longer accept “technical glitches” as an excuse for electoral irregularities.

Adebayo, in an Independence Day message issued ahead of Nigeria’s 66th anniversary on Thursday, October 1, also urged Nigerians to reject vote buying, electoral manipulation and rigging in the 2027 elections.

The statement which was signed by Comrade Mark Adebayo, Head of the Directorate of Media and Communications of the Adewole Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign argued that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the ability of citizens to freely elect their leaders without coercion or manipulation.

According to him, the collapse of previous republics and the long periods of military rule were linked to the subversion of the people’s will through electoral malpractice.

“History has shown us that when you steal the vote, you steal the destiny of the nation,” Adebayo said.

He described election rigging as an attack on citizens’ sovereignty, arguing that it produces leaders who feel little obligation to voters.

Adebayo linked what he described as poor governance in the country to electoral malpractice, citing challenges in healthcare, education and the economy.

The SDP candidate also criticised the administration of the All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing it of undermining democratic institutions and exploiting poverty for political advantage.

“The way the APC is ruling this country is, for the most part, completely anti-democratic,” he said.

Adebayo alleged that poverty was being weaponised to make vulnerable Nigerians susceptible to vote buying, while also accusing the government of suppressing dissent and subjecting the judiciary to political influence.

He said such practices were inconsistent with the democratic ideals associated with Nigeria’s independence.

Turning specifically to the 2027 elections, Adebayo warned INEC that Nigerians would not accept unexplained disruptions to electronic election systems.

He said the commission had sufficient time and resources to prepare for the elections and should ensure that its technological systems function transparently.

“Let it be known today that an excuse of a ‘technical glitch’ by INEC in 2027 will be totally unacceptable,” he said.

“We will not accept the deliberate shutdown of results viewing portals, nor will we tolerate sudden electronic failures that only seem to occur when the ruling party is losing.”

Adebayo further urged Nigerians to protect their votes at polling units and reject inducements offered in exchange for their ballots.

He said citizens should not trade their votes for immediate benefits only to face the consequences of poor governance for another four years.

“As we mark 66 years of independence, let us remember that true freedom means choosing our own leaders without coercion, bribery, or manipulation,” he said.

“Stand firm, protect your polling units, demand transparency, and let us collectively rescue Nigeria from the hands of electoral predators in 2027.”

Adebayo also reiterated his promise to tackle poverty and insecurity within four years if elected president.

The statement was signed by Comrade Mark Adebayo, Head of the Directorate of Media and Communications of the Adewole Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign.