Renowned political scientist, Professor Adele Jinadu, has raised an alarm over alleged plans by Nigeria’s political elite to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a Policy Dialogue on “State of Anti-Corruption Policy and Practice in Nigeria” held in Abuja, Jinadu claimed that the rigging process has already begun through strategic appointments within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“They have started the process of rigging the next general election through the appointment of known party members. Next year, many commissioners will be due for re-appointment. They will use the power of appointment to put those who will do their bidding,” he alleged.
Jinadu also decried the pervasive influence of vote-buying in Nigeria’s political system, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to shift its focus to the massive financial transactions occurring during party primaries.
“Vote buying is done through procurement, they are amassing war chests for 2027. EFCC should go to party primaries where they give huge amounts of not only naira but even dollars to buy party tickets, instead of going after poor voters who get just N2,000 or N4,000,” he said.
The professor called on Nigerians to resist the systemic corruption and electoral manipulation threatening the nation’s democracy.
“We must not fold our arms doing nothing. I am not tired of fighting. We must not give up. We must speak truth to power,” he declared.
