The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly refuted recent claims that Nigerians have lost faith in the country’s electoral system, calling such assertions unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
INEC’s response follows criticisms from several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and religious groups, which have raised concerns about a growing public disillusionment with the electoral process. However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, dismissed these claims as a mere “myth,” highlighting the substantial public participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as a clear indicator of continued trust in the system.
Oyekanmi emphasized that the overwhelming number of Nigerians, especially the youth, who have engaged with the voter registration process, contradicts the narrative of public disenchantment. He stated that the ongoing CVR exercise, which began on August 18, has witnessed significant online and physical participation, demonstrating that Nigerians remain committed to the democratic process.
According to INEC’s figures, by the first day of the online pre-registration, more than 69,000 Nigerians had already signed up. Within the first week, the number surged to over 1.3 million. By the end of the month, more than 5.3 million Nigerians had completed their online pre-registration, signaling the public’s continued belief in the electoral process.
While some critics have voiced doubts, Oyekanmi pointed out that these numbers suggest otherwise. “There is no other African nation with such high registration numbers within a month,” he added. He also reminded the public that the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that all pre-registered voters complete their registration in person, ensuring compliance with the law and proper verification.
Reflecting on the 2023 general election, Oyekanmi highlighted the significant progress made in terms of diversity, noting that it marked the most inclusive National Assembly since the return to democracy in 1999. The election saw representatives from seven political parties in the Senate and eight parties in the House of Representatives, including smaller parties like the Labour Party and New Nigeria People’s Party.
Despite the criticisms, Oyekanmi noted that recent bye-elections also reflect that Nigerians have maintained their trust in the process, as evidenced by the high voter turnout.
He also took a jab at some of INEC’s critics, accusing them of holding contradictory stances. “Ironically, some of the most vocal critics of INEC are also the ones calling for electoral reforms to transfer Local Government elections to INEC,” he said, pointing out the inconsistency in their position.
