The Edo State governorship election has raised serious concerns about the credibility of Nigeria?s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With widespread reports of vote rigging and discrepancies between results on the IREV portal and those documented on INEC?s result sheets, this election has highlighted flaws that threaten to undermine public confidence in Nigeria?s electoral system.

One of the most glaring issues in Edo is the mismatch between the results posted on INEC?s IREV portal and those recorded on physical result sheets. INEC owes Nigerians an explanation for this inconsistency. How can the results submitted to the portal differ from those written by INEC staff? If INEC is committed to transparency, it must clarify how these discrepancies occurred and why the numbers reported by voters on the ground do not align with official figures. This lack of accountability creates the perception that INEC is no longer a neutral entity, but rather an extension of political interests.

Ignoring Court Orders: INEC?s Refusal to Preserve BVAS Machines

INEC?s refusal to comply with a tribunal order mandating that all BVAS machines be transported to Abuja for preservation further damages its credibility. Given the compromised nature of Edo INEC, there are significant concerns that the machines could be tampered with. If there is nothing to hide, INEC should be eager to comply with this order to protect the integrity of the electoral data. By failing to obey a lawful directive, INEC has only intensified public skepticism and suspicion that it is concealing irregularities with the vote count.

As I recently told some persons, this election will test INEC?s already battered reputation. This latest scandal requires not only damage control but genuine reform. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu should consider resignation if he can't redeem his image especially if he cannot guarantee fair and transparent elections. His recent assurance that ?mistakes? in Edo would not recur in Ondo is unconvincing. This was not a simple error; it was a deliberate, calculated action that could not have occurred by accident. If Yakubu is genuinely committed to upholding the sanctity of Nigeria?s elections, he should instruct his legal team to honor the court?s preservation order, ensuring that the BVAS machines remain safe and untampered with.

If INEC is indeed sincere about restoring public trust, its leadership should acknowledge the gravity of these issues. Admitting to a ?mistake? is meaningless unless it is followed by actions that rectify the harm done. Nigerians deserve more than hollow apologies; they need real accountability, starting with rectifying the issues in Edo and ensuring transparency in the forthcoming Ondo election. Anything less risks further eroding public faith in our electoral process.

If INEC fails to restore its integrity, we may see unprecedented levels of voter apathy by the 2027 elections. Nigerians are unlikely to participate if they believe their votes won?t count. The world is watching, and it?s crucial for INEC to prove it is not an arm of the ruling party, the APC, but a genuine steward of democracy. The time for INEC to rebuild trust is now?first by addressing the issues in Edo and then ensuring a free and fair election in Ondo. If they fail, it is difficult to see how citizens will believe in the credibility of future elections.

?Ebiuwairo, a Communication Strategist, writes from Benin City.

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