Notable group, Alaigbo Political Watchdog, has insisted that there will never be free and fair general elections in Nigeria except there is a truly independent INEC.
Stating their position on Sunday 31st May, 2026, Alaigbo Political Watchdog, through its spokesperson, Prince Ben Ahanonu said, “As the 2027 General Election draws nigh, it becomes pertinent to address a debilitating bottleneck that has been an albatross on the political and economic advancement of Nigeria”.
“When an apparently compromised system cannot guarantee the election of credible and selfless leaders—individuals motivated by a burning desire to serve the country transparently and circumspectly in various leadership positions—the consequences are dire. A country governed by such a compromised and anachronistic system hardly makes progress; instead, it becomes hopelessly bogged down with trite, inconsequential, and mundane issues that trap the nation in a vicious circle of “motion without movement.”
“Without doubt, the quest for a truly Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains the foundational prerequisite for establishing genuine electoral integrity in Nigeria.”
“For decades, the phrase “free and fair elections” has served more as a political slogan than an achievable reality, primarily because the institutional architecture governing elections remains vulnerable to partisan manipulation. When the umpire of a democratic contest is tied to the purse strings and appointment powers of the ruling political class, the credibility of the entire democratic process is compromised from the very beginning. True democracy cannot thrive in an environment where citizens suspect that the referee has a vested interest in the outcome of the match.”
“Institutional independence must begin with a complete overhaul of how the commission’s leadership is selected and funded. Currently, the constitutional power of the President to appoint the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners creates an inherent conflict of interest, as it allows a competitor in the political arena to choose the regulator.”
“To correct this flaw, the appointment process should be insulated from executive control and handed over to a non-partisan body, such as a reformed National Judicial Council or a joint committee of civil society groups and professional bodies. Furthermore, achieving financial autonomy through a direct consensus funding mechanism, such as drawing resources directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is vital to prevent the executive branch from using budgetary delays as a weapon to control or cripple electoral operations.”
“Regardless of any structural and financial reforms, a truly independent INEC must possess the absolute power to enforce electoral laws and punish offenders without external interference. The current flawed system relies heavily on regular security agencies and the federal executive to prosecute electoral malpractice, which frequently leads to selective justice that protects powerful politicians. Establishing an independent Electoral Offences Commission would relieve INEC of the legal burden of prosecution, while ensuring that ballot box snatchers, vote buyers, and compromised officials face immediate accountability. When the law applies equally to all political actors, public trust grows, and the temptation to subvert the will of the people diminishes significantly.”
“Ultimately, a completely autonomous electoral body serves as the true safeguard for national stability and democratic longevity. When citizens believe that their votes will count and that the electoral umpire is genuinely neutral, the urge to resort to post-election violence or prolonged litigation drops dramatically.”
“AlaIgbo Political Watchdog believes that a fiercely independent INEC would not only elevate Nigeria’s democratic standing on the global stage but also foster a culture of performance among politicians, who would finally realize that power rests solely in the hands of the electorate.”
“We are equally in agreement with the fact that Nigeria’s journey toward flawless democratic governance cannot bypass this critical junction; a neutral, fearless, and autonomous umpire is the single bridge over which the nation must cross to reach true political maturity.”
“Nigeria as a country has wasted tremendous time and resources pushing unworkable options and a terrible system that engenders so-called strong men and women, instead of strong institutions and transparent leadership that will guarantee hope and the realization of the Nigerian Dream.”