By Noel Chiagorom
There’s a saying in Nigeria that “he who pays the piper dictates the tune.” As we inch closer to the 2027 general elections, that proverb is once again taking on dangerous significance — this time in the form of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s recent plan to construct a brand-new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
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While infrastructure development is normally welcomed, this move reeks of ulterior motives and must be viewed through a political lens — especially in a country where electoral bodies have long lost public trust. Why now? Why this priority? Why the electoral umpire? Why Wike?
For those who understand the ruthless machinery of Nigerian politics, the answer is painfully obvious: control.
INEC is supposed to be an independent body. But in practice, its “independence” has always been compromised by those in power — the same forces who select its chairman, control its funding, and now, apparently, want to give it a new address.
Let’s not be naïve — a shiny new building in Abuja won’t fix INEC’s credibility issues. It will, however, put the institution further in debt to its political benefactors. And that’s exactly the point.
This is not just about bricks and mortar. This is about setting the stage for 2027 — rigging the elections not on election day, but years in advance, by capturing the body that conducts them.
Let’s also not forget who the FCT Minister is. Nyesom Wike is a man known for political aggression, ambition, and endless backdoor maneuvering. He has a history of transactional politics and an eye constantly fixed on the levers of power. It would be foolish to assume this move is benign.
With Nigeria still reeling from the disastrous 2023 elections marred by technical failures, voter suppression, and outright manipulation, one would think the focus would be on electoral reform, not erecting new office buildings. But in classic Nigerian fashion, the politicians are preparing for the next fraud while the people are still counting their losses from the last one.
So let’s call this what it is: an early move to compromise INEC before 2027. A calculated attempt to dictate the tune by paying for the piper’s house. We’ve seen this movie before, and we know how it ends — unless Nigerians wake up and start asking hard questions.
The true independence of INEC cannot be achieved through fancy real estate. It can only come from insulating the commission from the influence of politicians like Wike — the very people it is meant to regulate.
If we allow this to slide, then once again, 2027 will not be about the ballot. It will be about the buildings, the budgets, and the puppeteers behind the scenes pulling the strings — long before a single vote is cast.