{EDITORIAL} 2027 General Elections: What Tinubu, APC, INEC and the Electorate Must Do
“President Tinubu must protect the democratic environment. The APC must compete fairly. INEC must administer a credible process. Opposition parties must offer responsible alternatives. Security agencies must remain impartial, while the electorate must make informed choices and reject violence.”
Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will be another significant test of the country’s democratic maturity, the credibility of its electoral institutions and the commitment of its political leaders to constitutional governance. As preparations continue, all stakeholders must recognise that the responsibility for a successful election extends beyond the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition political parties, security agencies, the media and, most importantly, the Nigerian electorate.
For The DEFENDER, the duty before these stakeholders is clear: they must work within the law, respect democratic competition, protect the rights of citizens and ensure that the electoral process provides a credible opportunity for Nigerians to choose their leaders.
An election is not successful simply because voting takes place and results are announced. Its credibility also depends on whether eligible citizens can participate freely, candidates can campaign without intimidation, electoral officials perform their duties impartially and disputes are resolved through lawful procedures.
The 2027 elections must therefore be approached as a national responsibility rather than a contest in which political victory justifies every action.
TINUBU’S DUTY: PROTECT DEMOCRACY ABOVE PARTY INTEREST
As President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the ruling APC, President Tinubu has a constitutional responsibility to protect the democratic environment in which the 2027 elections will take place.
His administration must ensure that public institutions discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law, without partisan interference. Government resources must be used for public purposes and not deployed to provide unlawful advantages to any political party or candidate.
The President should also publicly encourage peaceful political participation and respect for opposing views. Criticism of government policies is a legitimate democratic right, and opposition politicians must be able to organise, campaign and communicate their programmes without unlawful intimidation.
The President’s duty is not to determine the choices Nigerians should make at the ballot box. It is to help guarantee an environment in which those choices can be made freely.
If the APC seeks another mandate, the appropriate response is to present its record, explain its policies and allow the electorate to assess its performance.
Issues such as security, the economy, employment, electricity, education, healthcare and the cost of living should occupy a central place in political debate.
President Tinubu should also ensure that relevant authorities take credible threats of electoral violence seriously and that allegations of misconduct are investigated fairly.
The country needs leadership that places constitutional responsibility above partisan advantage.
APC’S DUTY: COMPETE FAIRLY AND RESPECT THE RULES
The All Progressives Congress must recognise that being the ruling party does not remove its obligation to respect political competition.
The party must conduct its internal processes in accordance with applicable laws and its established rules. Its primaries should provide a credible opportunity for eligible aspirants to participate, while disputes should be addressed through legitimate procedures.
APC leaders and supporters must avoid inflammatory statements, political intimidation and any conduct capable of provoking violence.
The party must also respect the right of opposition groups to hold rallies, communicate their programmes and mobilise supporters peacefully.
Political competition should be based on policies, records, ideas and the ability to address public concerns.
The APC should explain its plans for the country’s future and respond to criticism with facts and practical proposals. It should not assume that control of government automatically translates into popular approval.
The duty of the ruling party is to persuade Nigerians, not to obstruct their freedom of choice.
Equally, APC leaders should encourage their supporters to accept that political opponents are fellow citizens with equal rights under the law.
INEC’S DUTY: GUARANTEE A CREDIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS
The Independent National Electoral Commission has a central responsibility in determining the administrative credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Its duty begins long before election day and continues through the handling of results and other electoral responsibilities assigned to it by law.
INEC must prepare adequately, communicate clearly and apply electoral rules consistently to all political parties and candidates.
Voter registration, the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, polling arrangements and the deployment of electoral materials must be managed efficiently. Citizens should receive timely information about the requirements for participation and the procedures to follow when voting.
The commission must also strengthen the training of electoral officials to minimise avoidable mistakes, confusion and administrative failures.
Where technology is used for accreditation, result management or other electoral functions, INEC must explain the applicable procedures and establish safeguards for dealing with technical challenges.
Transparency in result collation and declaration is particularly important. Electoral records must be handled in accordance with the law, and legitimate complaints must be addressed through established channels.
INEC must not only be impartial but must also conduct its affairs in ways that enable the public to scrutinise its decisions.
The commission should maintain constructive communication with political parties, civil society organisations, election observers and the media while preserving its operational independence.
Its duty is not to satisfy the ambitions of political actors. It is to administer the electoral process in accordance with the Constitution and applicable electoral laws.
OPPOSITION’S DUTY: PROVIDE CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVES
Opposition parties have an important responsibility in any democracy. They scrutinise government performance, challenge policies and offer voters alternative candidates and programmes.
However, their duty must extend beyond criticising the incumbent administration.
Opposition leaders should present practical plans for addressing insecurity, unemployment, poverty, inflation, electricity shortages and other challenges affecting Nigerians.
They should explain how their proposals would be implemented and financed, enabling voters to make informed comparisons between competing programmes.
Opposition parties must also practise internal democracy, conduct their primaries in accordance with the law and resolve disagreements through peaceful procedures.
Where parties pursue alliances, they should clarify the principles, policies and commitments guiding their decisions.
Opposition leaders have every right to question electoral preparations, report suspected irregularities and challenge decisions they consider unlawful. However, allegations should be supported by credible evidence, and disputes should be pursued through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.
They must not encourage violence or present unverified allegations as established facts.
The opposition’s duty is to compete vigorously, hold government accountable and demonstrate that political disagreements can be managed within the democratic system.
THE ELECTORATE’S DUTY: VOTE WITH CONSCIENCE
The electorate is central to the democratic process because elected leaders derive their authority from the constitutional electoral system.
Nigerians must therefore understand that voting is both a right and a civic responsibility.
Eligible citizens should register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, familiarise themselves with voting procedures and participate peacefully.
Voters must assess candidates on their records, integrity, policies, experience and proposed solutions to national challenges. Decisions should not be dictated by temporary financial inducements, intimidation or appeals designed to inflame ethnic and religious divisions.
Vote-buying must be rejected by both those offering inducements and those accepting them. Selling a vote can undermine the citizen’s ability to demand accountability from elected officials.
The electorate must also resist political misinformation. Before sharing election-related claims, citizens should verify information through credible sources.
Social media users have a particular responsibility to avoid circulating fabricated results, manipulated videos and unsubstantiated allegations capable of provoking tension.
Young Nigerians should participate constructively, encourage peaceful engagement and recognise that political differences do not make fellow citizens enemies.
Above all, voters must be prepared to hold elected officials accountable after the elections. Democracy does not end with the casting of ballots; it continues through citizens’ participation in public affairs.
SECURITY AGENCIES’ DUTY: PROTECT EVERY VOTER
Security agencies must maintain professionalism and impartiality throughout the electoral period.
The Nigeria Police Force and other relevant institutions must protect voters, candidates, electoral officials, observers and election materials without discrimination.
Their responsibility is to enforce the law and prevent violence, not to advance the interests of any political party.
Security personnel deployed for electoral duties should receive adequate training and clear instructions. Credible allegations of misconduct must be investigated, and proven violations must be addressed in accordance with the law.
Political parties and their supporters must also cooperate with lawful security arrangements and refrain from actions that threaten public safety.
No political ambition can justify the loss of innocent lives.
THE MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY MUST PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PARTICIPATION
The media must report electoral developments accurately, distinguish allegations from verified facts and provide fair opportunities for relevant parties to respond.
Journalists must resist political pressure and avoid publishing sensational claims without sufficient verification.
Civil society organisations should intensify voter education, observe electoral preparations and encourage peaceful participation. Religious and traditional leaders should promote tolerance and remind their followers that political differences must not undermine communal harmony.
These institutions must hold all political actors to consistent democratic standards.
CONCLUSION: EVERY STAKEHOLDER HAS A DUTY
The success of the 2027 general elections will depend on the extent to which every stakeholder fulfils its responsibilities.
President Tinubu must protect the democratic environment. The APC must compete fairly. INEC must administer a credible process. Opposition parties must offer responsible alternatives. Security agencies must remain impartial, while the electorate must make informed choices and reject violence.
The media and civil society must also contribute through accurate reporting, public education and independent scrutiny.
No single institution can guarantee credible elections without the cooperation of the others. Equally, the failure of one stakeholder to discharge its responsibilities can weaken public confidence in the entire process.
The DEFENDER therefore calls on all stakeholders to begin with a common understanding: the purpose of an election is to enable the people to choose their leaders freely and lawfully, not to provide an opportunity for political actors to impose their ambitions on the nation.
Nigeria’s democratic future must not be sacrificed to partisan rivalry. Political disagreements should be resolved peacefully, electoral complaints handled lawfully and the rights of citizens protected without discrimination.
Ultimately, the duty of every stakeholder is to ensure that the 2027 elections strengthen public confidence in democracy, preserve national peace and uphold the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate in choosing those who govern them.
The greatest responsibility is to Nigeria; the ultimate authority belongs to the people through the lawful democratic process.
