By Media Talk Africa
Nigerian internet personality and businessman Isaac Fayose has expressed deep scepticism about the possibility of a change in government through the electoral process, suggesting that only divine intervention could alter the country’s political trajectory.
Fayose’s comments, posted on his official Facebook page, were a response to the recent local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to reports, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a majority of the council positions in that contest. Opposition figures, however, alleged the poll was tainted by widespread vote buying, violence, and intimidation.
In his post, Fayose dismissed optimism about the election outcome and drew a direct comparison to the next presidential poll, scheduled for 2027. He characterised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a “cesspit of electoral irregularities and malfeasance,” arguing that the procedures used in the FCT election would likely be replicated on a larger scale.
“Any Nigerian who’s unhappy with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government should use this Lent season to seek God’s intervention for Nigeria and beg God to divinely remove APC because, as it stands today, the votes of the Nigerian electorate are incapable of terminating or dislodging them from office in 2027,” Fayose wrote.
His statement highlights persistent public frustration over electoral integrity in Nigeria. The APC, which came to power nationally in 2015 and retained the presidency under Bola Tinubu in 2023, now controls the federal government and a majority of state governorships. Critics argue that repeated allegations of flawed elections undermine democratic accountability and entrench incumbent power.
Fayose’s call for a supernatural solution, rather than a political or civic one, underscores a sense of hopelessness among some citizens regarding the efficacy of the ballot box. It reflects a broader narrative that structural and institutional challenges within Nigeria’s electoral system prevent genuine competition.
The concerns raised precede larger national conversations about electoral reforms and INEC’s independence ahead of the 2027 general election. For international observers, Fayose’s comments serve as a stark indicator of eroded public trust in the electoral process, posing a significant challenge to the consolidation of democratic norms in Africa’s most populous nation. The credibility of future polls will remain a critical metric for Nigeria’s political stability and international partnerships.
