The Head of Research and Programmes at Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Oluwafemi John Adebayo, has warned that the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general election is already being shaped long before Nigerians head to the polls, saying the country’s democratic future depends on what happens before election day.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Monday, Adebayo said while Nigeria appears to be making administrative preparations for the election, the country is yet to address the deeper issues that determine whether an election will be free, fair and credible.
According to him, “The credibility of the 2027 general election will not be decided only on election day. It is already being determined in party primaries, courtrooms, security planning meetings, voter registration centres, newsrooms and the daily decisions of institutions entrusted with protecting Nigeria’s democracy.”
Adebayo noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable, political parties have conducted their primaries, candidates are being uploaded to the nomination portal, while voter registration has generated renewed interest among Nigerians.
However, he argued that elections should not be judged only by administrative activities.
“The real question is not whether Nigeria is preparing for the 2027 general election. It is whether Nigeria is preparing for a credible democratic contest,” he said.
He explained that an election can follow its timetable and still fail to inspire public confidence if citizens believe the outcome had been determined before voting begins.
According to him, many Nigerians remain interested in politics despite the country’s economic
