2027: Ex INEC Director advocates commission to end electoral impunity – News Agency of Nigeria
2027: Ex
By Linda Ogbonna
Lagos: A retired Director of Voter Education and Publicity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Femi Akinbiyi, has advocated the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akinbiyi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos said the measure will curb electoral violations and ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.
He said the proposed commission should be responsible for investigating and prosecuting electoral offenders, stressing that INEC should focus on conducting elections.
“INEC cannot conduct elections and, at the same time, prosecute offenders.
“Let there be an executive body whose duty is to punish electoral offenders. If this is done, maybe it will add to the credibility of elections in the country,” he said.
Akinbiyi urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence, religious attacks and other actions capable of creating tension during campaigns.
He advised politicians to make their campaigns issue based and explain how they would address challenges affecting Nigerians instead of attacking opponents.
He identified poverty, high cost of living, insecurity, poor roads and rising building material costs as issues that should dominate campaigns.
The retired INEC director also urged the government to address the high cost of petrol, noting that cheaper fuel would reduce transportation costs and ease pressure on other sectors of the economy.
“If the price is brought down, it is going to rub off on all other sectors of the economy,” he said.
On insecurity, Akinbiyi called for intensified efforts to ensure that Nigerians could travel and conduct their daily activities safely.
He also urged voters to elect credible candidates based on competence rather than religion, ethnicity, family ties or political affiliation.
Akinbiyi advocated independent candidacy, saying it would widen participation and provide opportunities for capable Nigerians who lacked the financial resources required by political parties.
“There are a lot of people who do not have money, but they can deliver.
“But the nomination fees for some political parties are definitely beyond the reach of some people,” he said.
He stressed the need for effective implementation of electoral laws, saying Nigeria had sufficient laws but lacked adequate enforcement.
According to him, failure to punish electoral offenders encourages others to commit similar offences with impunity.
“If anybody commits an offence and is punished for it, it will deter others from doing the same.
“It is the lack of deterrence that makes people do whatever they like with impunity,” he said.
Akinbiyi urged politicians to encourage their supporters to remain peaceful throughout the 2027 electioneering period, saying political contests should not divide Nigerians.
NAN reports that the presidential and National Assembly campaign period for the 2027 general elections began on Aug. 19.
NAN also reports that political parties and candidates signed a peace accord pledging to promote issue based campaigns. (NAN)
Source: News Agency of Nigeria