By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
As Nigeria edges closer to another critical political juncture, the spotlight is once again on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With governorship elections scheduled for 20 July 2026 in Ekiti State and 8 August 2026 in Osun, questions abound: will INEC finally rise to the occasion, or are Nigerians bracing for a familiar cycle of disorder and disappointment?
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has directed all registered political parties to complete their primaries between 20 October and 10 November 2025. But beyond timelines and procedural formality lies the challenge of restoring public faith in a process widely viewed as flawed.
Tensions are already running high, especially in Osun, where a protracted tussle between Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has left local government secretariats shut. Many observers now believe that only the forthcoming election can determine the legitimate authority in these troubled councils.
In Ekiti, the atmosphere is less volatile but politically charged. Incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji enjoys widespread support, including public endorsements from former governors Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose. However, in politics, circumstances can shift rapidly.
INEC’s recent electoral record does little to inspire confidence. Widespread irregularities tainted the last general elections, especially in states such as Lagos, Kaduna, and Ogun, while Kano and Osun teetered on the brink of chaos.
In Osun, numerous complaints emerged over incidents including over-voting, ballot disappearance, failure to upload results on IReV, and general disorganisation. INEC was either unprepared or overwhelmed.
Despite these failings, the Commission went ahead to announce results, many of which ended up in court, all the way to the Supreme Court. Although INEC has pledged improvements for the 2026 polls in Ekiti and Osun, unless fundamental changes are made, Nigerians may again be left disillusioned.
Professor Yakubu now faces a defining moment. This is his opportunity to steer INEC towards credibility or repeat the missteps of his predecessors. He must demonstrate that democracy in Nigeria is more than a ritualistic four-year cycle.
By now, the INEC Chairman should have a firm grasp of the peculiarities of Nigerian elections. He should take a lesson from other sectors. In professional football, for instance, VAR technology now assists referees in making accurate calls, reducing human error and improving accountability. INEC, likewise, must adopt reforms and tools to minimise mistakes and uphold integrity.
INEC must recognise the unique demands of Ekiti and Osun. Ekiti has 16 local government areas, while Osun has 30, with a different political and security climate. A one-size-fits-all approach will be inadequate. Osun’s volatile nature demands a distinct security architecture and resource planning.
Furthermore, the recurring malfunction of BVAS machines must end. INEC should be conducting regular maintenance, testing, and replacements well ahead of the elections.
The practice of contracting transport of sensitive materials to driver unions such as NURTW and RTEAN, organisations that have openly declared political affiliations, should be scrapped. INEC should invest in its own fleet of vehicles, boats, and aircraft. With a budget exceeding ₦305 billion, logistics should not be a stumbling block.
Security arrangements also demand reform. The over-militarisation of election zones has not delivered credible polls. Instead, it has intimidated voters and contributed to low turnout. More troubling is the fact that some electoral offences occur in the presence of security operatives, casting doubt on their neutrality.
For INEC to recover public trust, it must insulate itself from political manipulation. Politicians should not be allowed to dictate the pace. Results from polling units disrupted by violence or malpractice should not be validated without a thorough review. All forms of rigging, no matter how subtle, must be discouraged.
The waning public interest in elections should worry INEC. In the 2022 Ekiti governorship election, the winner secured just 187,057 votes. The combined total of the opposition barely crossed 150,000. Out of more than 980,000 registered voters, fewer than 380,000 participated. Such figures, in a functional democracy, would raise questions about legitimacy.
The 2026 elections offer INEC a vital opportunity to reverse the tide. Transparency and credibility must be the bedrock of these polls. Let the votes count, let the process be fair, and let the outcome be undisputed, that is the essence of democracy.
Professor Yakubu and INEC must understand the stakes. This is not just about two states. It is a referendum on whether Nigerians can still believe in their democracy.
