Nigeria’s Election Problems Not Systemic, But Attitudinal, Says Former INEC Official

Former INEC Director of Security Lebari Sampson Nduh says Nigeria’s electoral issues stem from the attitude of its citizens, not the system itself, following reports of pervasive result manipulation in the recent Edo State governorship election.

According to Yiaga Africa, an accredited observer of the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State that took place on Saturday, the poll failed the integrity test because of the pervasive manipulation of results.

The former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Director of Security expressed during an interview with ARISE NEWS that the issue is not the functionality of the law or the body, but rather the individuals who occupy the body and whether they are working for the populace or their interests.

He stated, “I think the problem is not about the body, it is about the attitude of Nigerians to everything that we do.

“What is their attitude to holding leaders accountable and responsible in their responsibilities?”

Nduh asserted that the collation officer should have cross-checked the results with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) data. He stressed that the number of votes cast must not surpass the number of accredited voters; if such discrepancies occur, the collation officer should annul the results following a comprehensive investigation.

“If they say they are going to review it, then they are reviewing it. They should follow it up. There are processes,” he said.

Earlier this week, INEC addressed social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding allegations of incorrect figures entered into polling unit results. The commission noted that this was the second complaint received out of the 4,519 polling units used in the Edo elections and assured that it would promptly investigate the matter and address any confirmed infractions.

Furthermore, in response to YiagaAfrica’s claims of lack of integrity of the Edo election results, the APC, through a press statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, criticized the election observer body for purportedly attempting to second-guess INEC’s authority.

Nduh described the relationship between INEC and civil society organizations and election observation duties as a very robust one, stating, “The civil society organizations know and can confirm that they make certain observations and INEC takes it, discusses with them on ways forward and adopts it.”

“There are no limits in election observation. They have their job cut out for them by law,” Nduh explained, “What they are doing is in tandem with the objectives of election observation.”

Frances Ibiefo

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