A Nigerian public affairs commentator has alleged that the outcome of the 2027 general elections has been predetermined, citing a coordinated push for manual result transmission that enables electoral manipulation.
Mahdi Shehu, a prominent analyst, shared the claims on the social media platform X this Friday. He asserted that major political players—including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), factions within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Senate members—are aligned on retaining manual processes for collating and announcing results.
According to Shehu, the Senate’s recent decision to endorse manual voting alongside electronic transmission creates a deliberate opportunity for fraud. He highlighted that INEC commissioners are appointed by President Bola Tinubu, implying the commission may act to benefit the appointing authority. “With the provision of manual voting imposed by the Senate on behalf of other visible interested parties, it is safe to assume that winners of the 2027 elections are already known by their names and platforms,” Shehu wrote.
The method of result transmission has been a critical issue in Nigeria’s electoral history. In the 2023 general elections, INEC utilized a hybrid system, but delays and inconsistencies fueled widespread disputes. Manual transmission is often criticized for its vulnerability to tampering, while electronic systems are viewed as more transparent but face infrastructural hurdles. Past elections in Nigeria have been marred by irregularities, violence, and legal challenges, intensifying scrutiny on INEC’s procedures.
Shehu’s allegations reflect ongoing skepticism about INEC’s independence. The commission’s leadership appointments by the president have repeatedly raised concerns about political influence, a point emphasized by civil society groups and international observers. Despite his dire prediction, Shehu concluded with religious allusions, stating that while politicians may plan, Allah is the best of planners, and quoting Jeremiah 29:11 from the Bible about hope and a prosperous future.
These claims arrive as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle, with transparency in result management remaining a pivotal demand. INEC has not yet responded to Shehu’s specific allegations, but the commission has previously pledged to uphold credibility. The 2027 elections will test whether reforms can address deep-seated mistrust, as both domestic and international stakeholders call for robust mechanisms to safeguard the voting process. The discourse underscores the high stakes for Nigeria’s democratic stability in the coming years.
