A Nigerian youth group has raised alarm over alleged systemic manipulation of electoral processes, accusing the country’s election commission of sabotaging democratic principles through unlawful candidate substitutions and financial exploitation. The Northern Obidient Youth Assembly (NOYA) claims the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is abusing a court-mandated system for adjusting candidate lists to benefit powerful interests while undermining fair competition.
In a scathing statement, NOYA Coordinator Abdullahi Suleiman asserted that INEC’s public portal for publishing court-ordered candidate amendments—intended to ensure transparency—has instead become a vehicle for “cynical and corrupt” practices. He alleged legally nominated candidates are routinely removed from party lists in violation of democratic procedures, forcing them into expensive legal battles to reclaim their positions. “This isn’t oversight—it’s deliberate fraud,” Suleiman said, arguing that INEC officials collude with political actors to distort electoral outcomes.
The group further accused rogue elements within INEC of operating a “profit-driven racket,” claiming commissioners accept bribes worth tens of millions of Nigerian naira (equivalent to thousands of dollars) to tamper with candidate registrations. Suleiman asserted corrupt officials exploit judicial oversight, knowing courts will eventually reverse the changes—but often too late for affected candidates to campaign effectively. “The damage is irreversible by the time courts intervene. It’s a scheme to sideline legitimate contenders and profit from chaos,” he said.
NOYA warned the pattern has turned Nigeria’s judiciary into a “repair service” for electoral malfeasance, disproportionately favoring wealthy candidates who can afford lengthy litigation. Less-resourced contenders, the group claims, face insurmountable barriers, creating a “two-tier justice system” that erodes public trust.
Calls for accountability include demands for Nigeria’s National Assembly to investigate alleged financial misconduct through forensic audits and criminal probes targeting INEC leadership. The assembly urged swift action to prevent future elections from becoming “a charade decided in backrooms instead of ballot boxes.”
Suleiman emphasized broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy, stating, “When referees take bribes from players, the game loses all legitimacy. Nigerians deserve elections where mandates aren’t auctioned to the highest bidder.” INEC has not publicly responded to the allegations. The commission has faced recurring criticism over election administration, including delayed result transmissions and logistical failures during recent polls.
This controversy surfaces as Nigeria prepares for upcoming governorship elections in 2024, with watchdog groups warning that unresolved systemic flaws could deepen voter apathy in Africa’s most populous democracy.
