Since we’re talking about the shocking N135.22 billion earmarked for post-election litigation ahead of 2027, let's look at it critically. This outrageous sum isn't about ensuring justice; it's a glaring admission that our electoral system is structured to produce conflicts, signaling a dangerous failure of electoral governance.
This is precisely why the #OccupyINEC movement is not just necessary, but urgent. Opposition groups have fixed a nationwide protest for April 15, 2026, demanding sweeping reforms to restore public confidence in our democratic process.
The call for the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and a full investigation into directors allegedly interfering with opposition parties, like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), highlights the deep distrust currently plaguing the commission. How can we build trust when a major party accuses INEC of administrative landmines to block their participation?
And what about the much-touted Electoral Act 2026? Even the INEC Chairman himself has raised concerns about its 'indeterminacy of key standards' and 'weak and inconsistent enforcement of regulatory provisions.' This supposed reform act is already facing challenges, particularly concerning equitable access to media and curbing misinformation.
Furthermore, issues like the inability to transmit election results live continue to erode confidence, along with INEC and political parties failing to meet basic digital data protection duties. The planned voter revalidation exercise for the 2027 elections to remove anomalies is a step, but it's amidst a crisis of confidence.
The message from #OccupyINEC is clear and unequivocal: "No Reform, No 2027 Election." It’s time to demand a truly independent and transparent electoral body, not one that seems to anticipate and budget for endless legal battles.