Nigeria’s elections have never been truly free or credible, Pat Utomi

Professor Pat Utomi, a political economist, has sharply criticized Nigeria's electoral process, asserting that elections have "generally not been free, fair, or credible" since the return to democracy in 1999. In an interview with Vanguard, Utomi described the 2023 general elections as a "national disaster."

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Elections have generally not been free, fair, or credible in Nigeria. Every election in Nigeria, since 1999, has been largely flawed.

He pointed to the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) alleged inability or unwillingness to upload results on its i-Rev platform as a major concern. Utomi cited examples, including Rivers State, where he claimed election outcomes were "completely turned on its head." The prevalence of violence, voter intimidation, and vote buying, he argued, has turned elections into a "huge joke."

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However, the degrees are varied. Some were better than others. When we thought we should be making progress, it became worse.

Despite his harsh critique, Utomi remains hopeful for Nigeria's future. He believes that progress in democratic engineering and economic fortune is possible if the nation focuses on the character of its leaders and actively works to prevent electoral abuses. "If somebody tells us that having an i-Rev is an offense or impossible, we don’t need any person to tell us that the fellow is determined to rig the next election," Utomi warned, suggesting such statements signal a plan to manipulate future polls.

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The 2023 electoral exercise, for example, was a national disaster!

Utomi also offered a broader assessment of Nigeria, stating that anyone claiming the country is functioning is either self-deceived, deluded, or dishonest. He emphasized the critical need to consider leadership character to foster positive cultural change and drive the nation forward. "This is a big failure, but it is not yet over. I am still optimistic that there will be a turnaround to the economic stimulus and fortune someday in the future for Nigeria," he concluded.

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The introduction of violence, voter intimidation, vote buying, and all such other damnable acts have made elections a huge joke in Nigeria. INEC should please save us from these vices.