2027: Nigerians Won’t Accept Non-Credible Elections, Says Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education Obi Ezekwesili has declared that Nigerians will not accept any election that lacks credibility, warning that the 2027 general elections must not undermine the country’s democracy.

Speaking on behalf of what she described as a “credible election team,” Ezekwesili said the group had come together to make it clear that citizens are prepared to resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“The summary point this morning is that any election that lacks credibility will not be acceptable to the Nigerian people,” she said. “2027 must not mark the end of our democracy.”

She warned that if elected officials attempt to disregard the will of the people, citizens would respond through collective action.

According to her, Nigerians have endured worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and persistent power shortages without accountability.

“Nigerians are killed without consequence. There is no electricity, and people have adjusted to that failure. It shouldn’t be so,” she stated, criticizing what she described as widespread normalization of governance failures.

Ezekwesili also emphasized the need for strict adherence to provisions on electronic transmission of results.

She maintained that the version passed by the House of Representatives mandates real-time, electronic transmission of election results without discretion.

She criticized excuses about network challenges, arguing that technology is readily used for financial transactions and should likewise be available for transmitting election results.

“There must be real-time transmission of results,” she said, adding that transparency would be enforced to ensure the integrity of future elections.

Her remarks come amid ongoing national debates over electoral reforms and preparations for the 2027 polls, with civil society groups calling for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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