2027 Polls could cost ₦870 billion, says Ex-INEC Adviser warns

…‘Election astatine hazard without urgent reforms, funding, security’

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Professor Bolade Eyinla, erstwhile Chief Technical Adviser to immediate-past INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised the alarm that Nigeria’s 2027 wide predetermination could beryllium successful information unless the Tinubu medication urgently addresses looming crises astir funding, enactment transition, security, and elector confidence.

According to him, the 2027 predetermination could outgo arsenic overmuch arsenic ₦870 cardinal (about $600 million), fixed inflationary pressures and Nigeria’s peculiarities.

Delivering a keynote code astatine the YIAGA Africa 2027 Election Scenarios and Election Manipulation Risk Index EMRI Retreat successful Abuja connected Thursday, Eyinla noted what helium described arsenic the “critical responsibility lines” that Nigeria indispensable code up of the polls.

He listed the assignment of a caller INEC Chairman, timely merchandise of predetermination funds, the integrity of the nationalist elector register, declining elector turnout, insecurity and the deployment of electoral exertion arsenic urgent concerns.

“Great caution and discretion indispensable beryllium exercised successful appointing the adjacent INEC Chairman. The appointee indispensable beryllium strong-willed, beyond reproach, non-partisan and susceptible of commanding some nationalist and planetary confidence,” Eyinla warned.

Eyinla disclosed that INEC had reviewed the 2023 wide elections and made 142 recommendations, retired of which 86 requiring administrative enactment had already been implemented. Eight different recommendations demanding ineligible amendments — including aboriginal voting for predetermination officials, mandatory physics transmission of results, and a reappraisal of Section 47(1) of the Electoral Act — stay earlier the National Assembly.

He warned lawmakers against foot-dragging, noting that immoderate amendment indispensable beryllium concluded earlier February 2026 erstwhile INEC is expected to merchandise the 2027 predetermination timetable.

On funding, the predetermination adept projected that the adjacent wide predetermination could outgo arsenic overmuch arsenic ₦870 cardinal (about $600 million), fixed inflationary pressures and Nigeria’s analyzable electoral terrain. He insisted that astatine slightest 65 percent of the required funds indispensable beryllium appropriated and released successful 2025 and 2026 to let INEC procure technologies, behaviour continuous elector registration and unafraid predetermination materials.

On security, helium recalled implicit 50 attacks connected INEC offices betwixt 2019 and 2023, including the sidesplitting of unit members. He urged the aboriginal deployment of information personnel, due grooming to forestall partisanship, and the usage of modern surveillance exertion to deter vote-buying, unafraid polling units and support internally displaced persons.

Eyinla besides expressed interest implicit Nigeria’s declining elector turnout, which dropped to 26.7% successful 2023, the lowest since 1999. He warned that continued elector apathy could erode the legitimacy of elected governments.

On technology, helium urged INEC to fortify its electoral exertion model and beryllium wary of cyber threats, particularly coordinated disinformation campaigns. While praising the instauration of BVAS and the IReV portal, helium described the nonaccomplishment to upload statesmanlike results successful existent clip during the 2023 polls arsenic a “dark stain” that indispensable not recur.

“The 2027 predetermination indispensable not beryllium bought by the highest bidder. It indispensable beryllium peaceful, credible and transparent successful bid to consolidate Nigeria’s democracy,” helium cautioned.

The retreat brought unneurotic civilian nine leaders, predetermination experts, and policymakers to illustration pathways for safeguarding Nigeria’s ideology up of 2027.

The station 2027 Polls could outgo ₦870 billion, says Ex-INEC Adviser warns appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.