Nigerian journalist and Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye has raised concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general election, warning that alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process could begin long before voters cast their ballots.
Speaking during the closing segment of Politics Today, Okinbaloye urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address concerns surrounding the voters’ register, arguing that the integrity of an election depends on preparations made well before election day.
The journalist cautioned that focusing exclusively on events at polling units could overlook potential weaknesses in earlier stages of the electoral process.
In his closing remarks, he said:
“This is my parting word tonight, the election is usually not rigged on election day, don’t get it wrong. And whatever you may be, jumping around all of the town halls and the political podiums and platforms, the rigging of the election has in fact begun very few months ago and is still much on course.”
He added: “If you don’t take action and speak up now, forget it, 2027 election is already rigged and this is time to clean it up and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
Okinbaloye concluded by urging Nigerians to speak up about concerns surrounding the electoral process.
His remarks have added to the debate over election preparedness, voters’ registration and the measures needed to strengthen confidence in the 2027 polls.
Why the Voters’ Register Matters
The voters’ register is a fundamental component of any election because it identifies the individuals eligible to participate in the voting process.
An accurate register helps electoral authorities determine who is entitled to vote, plan election logistics and reduce opportunities for irregularities involving voter identification or registration records.
Concerns about the register can therefore have implications for public confidence, particularly when allegations involve duplicate entries, ineligible records or the omission of eligible voters.
However, such concerns must be examined through verifiable evidence, transparent procedures and appropriate review mechanisms.
Okinbaloye’s warning highlights the importance of addressing potential weaknesses before election day rather than waiting until disputes emerge during or after voting.
His remarks do not, by themselves, establish that the 2027 election has been rigged. They constitute a warning about the risk of manipulation and the need for preventive action.
INEC’s Responsibility and Public Confidence
As Nigeria’s electoral management body, INEC is responsible for organising elections and implementing the procedures required to ensure that eligible citizens can participate.
Maintaining an accurate voters’ register is central to that responsibility.
Public confidence also depends on the transparency of the commission’s processes, the credibility of its explanations and its ability to respond to complaints in accordance with the law.
Where specific allegations of irregularities are raised, the commission and other relevant institutions need to establish the facts and communicate their findings clearly.
Political parties, civil society organisations, journalists and eligible voters also have roles to play in identifying problems, reporting credible evidence and demanding accountability through lawful channels.
However, allegations of manipulation should not be treated as established facts without supporting evidence. Equally, concerns about electoral integrity should not be dismissed without appropriate scrutiny.
The challenge is to ensure that claims are investigated transparently and that any verified problems are corrected before they compromise the election.
Electoral Preparedness Ahead of 2027
Nigeria’s electoral history has demonstrated the importance of public trust in the institutions responsible for organising elections.
Confidence can be weakened when voters believe that the rules are being applied inconsistently, when complaints remain unresolved or when election officials fail to provide clear explanations for disputed decisions.
Okinbaloye’s intervention underscores the need for early scrutiny of the electoral process, particularly the systems used to identify eligible voters and prepare for the polls.
For INEC, the priority should be to ensure that the voters’ register is accurate, that complaints are handled transparently and that the public has confidence in the procedures governing the election.
For political parties and other stakeholders, the responsibility is to raise specific concerns, provide evidence where possible and use established mechanisms to seek corrections.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the credibility of the process will depend not only on the conduct of voting but also on the quality of preparations made beforehand.
Okinbaloye’s warning has renewed attention to that responsibility. Whether the concerns he raised lead to concrete action will depend on the response of electoral authorities and the scrutiny maintained by the public and relevant institutions.