April 28, (THEWILL) — The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has warned that the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections may be under serious threat, alleging that major electoral reform proposals painstakingly developed to strengthen the country’s democratic process were heavily distorted and manipulated before becoming law.
The African Democratic Congress Senator, made the allegation during an interview on ARISE News, where she expressed concern over what she described as the weakening of critical safeguards originally intended to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections.
Ireti, who claimed she was among members of a committee that spent two years developing a comprehensive electoral reform framework aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system, said the committee held extensive consultations and joint sittings before arriving at proposals they believed would significantly strengthen public confidence in elections and reduce opportunities for manipulation.
However, she alleged that the outcome no longer reflected the original reform document agreed upon by stakeholders.
“We worked on a document that was acceptable for two years and did a joint sitting and came up with a document we felt would give us free and fair elections, but now every aspect of that document has been turned upside down,” she said.
The senator alleged that key provisions designed to protect the credibility of elections were altered, warning that the consequences could become more evident during the 2027 polls if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
Kingibe also raised concerns over the security features of ballot papers used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming that the current voting materials lack adequate protection against forgery or duplication.
“The INEC ballot paper does not have security measures; any type of paper can be used for voting,” she alleged.
She argued that without stronger security mechanisms embedded in the voting process, the integrity of future elections could be compromised, further eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
The senator further linked the growing momentum behind political alliances and opposition cooperation to worsening socio-economic conditions across the country.
According to her, many Nigerians are increasingly frustrated by rising insecurity, poor electricity supply, food shortages, economic hardship, and increasing taxation.
She said the hardship confronting citizens has forced political actors to begin placing national interest above personal ambition, resulting in greater synergy among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I was seriously pleased to see the synergy, alliances, and move of national interest opposed to personal interest,” she stated.
Kingibe maintained that Nigerians are demanding more accountable leadership and tangible improvements in their living conditions.
“Everybody is tired and exhausted,” she added.
The senator lamented what she described as unprecedented insecurity and worsening food insecurity across the country, warning that citizens are becoming increasingly disillusioned with governance.
“At the end of the day, everyone wants a better life; no electricity, insecurity has never been this bad, food insecurity is at its worst ever, taxes are increased, and more are coming,” she said.
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