2027 Polls: Survey Shows Less Than 50% of Nigerians Have Confidence in INEC

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, fresh concerns have emerged over public trust in the electoral system, with a new survey indicating that fewer than half of Nigerians have confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The development has sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms, as stakeholders warn that the credibility of future elections may be at risk if trust in the system is not restored.

GoNigeria, a civic advocacy group, raised the alarm in a statement titled ‘Electoral reform and the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic future’, signed by its convener, Mr Atedo Peterside, alongside 24 others.

The group stressed that strengthening Nigeria’s democracy requires focused attention on key institutional pillars.

It said, “Four pillars are critical for Nigeria’s democracy: electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and the security of life and property. These pillars are the practical guardrails required for a democracy that is durable and productive.

“Among these pillars, electoral reform is foundational. Elections do not simply select leaders; they determine whether power is accepted as legitimate, whether institutions are trusted, and whether governance will be effective. Where elections are credible, authority is strengthened.”

The group traced the foundation of electoral reforms in Nigeria to the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee, noting that its recommendations focused on strengthening the independence of the electoral body and ensuring transparency in the system.

It also highlighted the introduction of digital tools such as biometric voter registration, Permanent Voters’ Cards, and electronic accreditation as major steps taken to improve the credibility of elections.

According to the statement, these innovations reflected both institutional commitment and public demand for a more transparent process.

GoNigeria noted that Nigeria reached a significant milestone in 2015, widely regarded as a turning point in the country’s democratic journey.

However, it warned that progress recorded at the time has not been sustained.

It said public trust declined after the 2019 and 2023 elections due to inconsistent use of technology, weak enforcement of electoral laws, and increasing dependence on the courts to resolve electoral disputes.

The group revealed that recent surveys paint a worrying picture, especially among young Nigerians.

It said distrust is more pronounced in the South-South and South-East regions, while a large percentage of citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 expressed doubts about the system’s ability to deliver credible elections.

GoNigeria warned that the consequences of a weak electoral system go beyond public perception.

It said such a system could lead to political violence, lack of accountability, and weakened democratic institutions.

The statement further pointed to concerns around the discretionary powers of electoral officials, especially in situations involving manual transmission of results.

It called for clearer guidelines and stronger safeguards to ensure transparency in such cases.

The group noted that with the Electoral Act 2026 now in place, attention must shift from legislation to implementation.

It urged stakeholders to close the gap between policy and practice while rebuilding public confidence in the system.

GoNigeria also outlined its commitment to promoting voter participation, encouraging informed public discourse, and engaging institutions to ensure that elections remain credible and verifiable.

It added that citizens must continue to demand accountability and transparency from electoral authorities.

“GoNigeria is committed to ensuring, through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and informed analysis, that elections in Nigeria are decided by the people and trusted by the people.”