2027: CSOs Advocate for Single-Day General Elections in Nigeria
As the 2027 general elections approach, civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for all elections to be conducted on a single day to reduce costs and inefficiencies.
This proposal was discussed on Friday in Abuja during a policy dialogue organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Iroro Izu, a political scientist at Nile University, Abuja, argued that the current staggered election system is unsustainable given the high costs incurred by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He pointed out that countries such as the United States, Brazil, and India have long adopted single-day elections.
“This approach will save government funds, prevent unnecessary economic losses, curb voter disenfranchisement caused by the bandwagon effect, and minimize electoral fraud,” Izu stated.
Similarly, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, pioneer Executive Director of Centre LSD, noted that most speakers at the dialogue supported the idea, adding that efforts would be made to engage INEC, political parties, and other stakeholders on its feasibility.
However, INEC’s Director of Operations, Adigun Hakeem, clarified that the Commission cannot take a position on the matter until it is approved by the National Assembly.
“INEC’s mandate is to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. The National Assembly sets the guidelines, and we follow them accordingly,” Hakeem stated.
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