By Noel chiagorom
As Nigeria prepares for another general election in 2027, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a sobering call for vigilance and responsibility. His statement, both critical and urgent, underscores the glaring failures of the 2023 elections and challenges Nigerians to act decisively to safeguard their democracy.
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“Come 2027, we will go around and look for responsible people to contest for the House of Representatives and the Senate. That’s what we failed to do in 2023. If you’re coming into politics just to make money, then know that you are part of the problem. In 2027, we will correct many things. We will come out to vote—and not just vote—we will defend our votes. If INEC refuses to count our votes, we will count them ourselves for them.”
Mr. Obi’s remarks reflect a painful truth: the 2023 elections were marred by voter suppression, logistical failures, and a profound lack of trust in the electoral system. Despite a record 93 million registered voters, only about 24.9 million turned out to vote. That’s a turnout of just 26.7%—the lowest since the return of democracy in 1999. This sharp decline signals not mere voter apathy but deep disillusionment.
Across the country, reports surfaced of late arrivals of materials, widespread failure of the BVAS accreditation system, and outright violence at polling units. In several locations, voting commenced as late as 6 p.m. Meanwhile, at least 135 incidents of election-related violence were recorded, further undermining the credibility of the process. In many communities, the promise of a free and fair election never materialized.
Yet, perhaps the most neglected aspect of the 2023 elections was the National Assembly. The legislative arm, critical to the functioning of any democracy, received little attention from voters and political actors alike. As a result, many Nigerians elected representatives they knew little or nothing about. The outcome: a National Assembly filled with individuals lacking both public scrutiny and meaningful mandates.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) retained its dominance in the legislature, winning 59 Senate seats and 176 in the House of Representatives. The Labour Party, despite its surge in popular support, won only 7 Senate seats and 35 in the House. That imbalance is already shaping the legislative agenda in ways that do not reflect the national mood.
Peter Obi’s assertion that “we failed to look for responsible people” is a frank admission—but also a roadmap for 2027. Nigerians cannot afford to wait until the eve of elections to engage. The process of candidate identification, public accountability, and political education must begin now. A vote is only as powerful as the quality of the choices available. If we fail to demand integrity, we will continue to recycle failure.
Furthermore, the call to “defend our votes” must be understood as a civic obligation, not a call to disorder. It means demanding transparency, monitoring the electoral process, insisting on timely uploads of results, and rejecting any form of manipulation. INEC must be held accountable—not only on election day, but throughout the entire electoral calendar.
The facts are indisputable: Nigeria cannot afford another flawed election. The 2023 experience must not be allowed to repeat itself. Voters must reclaim their power, and political parties must rise above narrow interests to field candidates who represent competence, integrity, and service—not personal enrichment.
As we look toward 2027, the path is clear: organize, scrutinize, vote, and defend that vote by every legal and civic means necessary.
Democracy is not an event—it is a continuous commitment. Nigeria’s future depends on how seriously we take that commitment today.