The National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, has criticised Nigeria’s electoral process since the return to civilian rule in 1999, arguing that persistent allegations of electoral manipulation have undermined democratic legitimacy, weakened accountability and shut poor Nigerians out of political participation.

Ameh, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kogi East Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, said the credibility of elections remained fundamental to producing leaders who were genuinely accountable to the electorate.

In a statement, he argued that when electoral outcomes failed to reflect the will of voters, the relationship between elected officials and citizens was weakened, creating conditions in which public office holders could become less responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

He maintained that Nigeria’s search for effective and accountable leadership could not be separated from efforts to address electoral malpractice and strengthen the integrity of the voting process.

According to him, the credibility of elections determines not only how leaders emerge but also the extent to which they feel obligated to fulfil their promises and respond to the demands of the electorate.

Ameh alleged that Nigeria’s electoral history had been characterised by instances in which candidates who believed they had won were denied their mandates, while declared winners faced questions about the credibility of their victories.

He said such controversies had contributed to public distrust in democratic institutions and raised concerns about the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

The CUPP chairman argued that electoral malpractice, where established, undermined the fundamental principle that political authority should derive from the consent of the governed.

He added that a political system in which electoral victories were determined by manipulation rather than the free expression of voters’ preferences would struggle to deliver the accountability and public confidence necessary for democratic development.

Ameh also raised concerns about the financial implications of Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly the growing cost of seeking elective office.

He said the high cost of political participation had made elections increasingly difficult for candidates without substantial financial resources, potentially restricting access to public office to wealthy individuals and those backed by powerful political interests.

According to him, the situation poses a challenge to political inclusion because capable Nigerians from low-income backgrounds may be discouraged from contesting elections by the financial demands associated with campaigns and party politics.

He warned that democracy risked losing its representative character if ordinary citizens could not compete for political office on a fair basis.

Ameh called for sustained efforts to protect the integrity of elections, urging Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process and remain vigilant throughout electoral activities.

He said citizens had an important role to play in safeguarding their votes and ensuring that ballots cast were accurately counted and reflected in the final results.

He stressed that public participation should go beyond voting on election day to include sustained civic engagement and scrutiny of the electoral process.

The politician argued that restoring confidence in elections required more than official assurances, insisting that transparency, credible procedures and public vigilance were essential to protecting the people’s mandate.

He maintained that free, fair and transparent elections would help strengthen democratic legitimacy, improve accountability and create opportunities for a broader range of Nigerians to participate in governance.

Ameh said the country could not make meaningful progress towards accountable leadership without addressing concerns about electoral credibility.

He urged political actors, electoral institutions and citizens to prioritise the protection of the democratic process, warning that continued public distrust in elections could further weaken confidence in governance.

He added that Nigerians must reject political apathy and take a more active interest in determining who represents them at all levels of government.

Ameh said the time had come for citizens to move beyond passive observation of the electoral process and take greater responsibility for defending the integrity of their votes.

He maintained that credible elections remained essential to ensuring that political power reflected the people’s choice rather than the influence of money, manipulation or other irregularities.

For him, the central challenge confronting Nigeria’s democracy is to build an electoral system that commands public confidence, allows candidates to compete fairly.