Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of the civil society organisation Yiaga Africa, has issued a stark warning that the premature commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections is actively undermining governance and democratic stability in Nigeria.
Premature Campaigns and Democratic Pressure
In a statement released on 14 January 2026, Itodo highlighted that overt campaign activities began almost immediately after the conclusion of the 2023 polls, despite the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet lifted the official ban on campaigns. He expressed deep concern that this trend is creating a political environment dominated by elite bargaining and party realignements, with over a year still remaining before the elections.
"The political temperature is heating up at a scale that puts the country's democracy under intense pressure," Itodo stated. He noted that democratic institutions are struggling to cope with the pressures generated by these early political maneuvers.
A Troubling Pathology of Nigerian Politics
Itodo, who also serves as the Principal Partner of the Election Law Centre and Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Group on AI in Peace, Security and Governance, described the situation as a "troubling pathology" of Nigeria's electoral politics. He argued that this pattern effectively sidelines substantive governance in favour of advancing narrow electoral ambitions.
"These developments reflect a troubling pathology of Nigeria’s electoral politics, which relegates governance for the advancement of electoral ambition," he emphasised.
Call for Institutional Safeguards and Security Neutrality
The Yiaga Africa director asserted that the future direction of Nigeria's democracy hinges on the ability of institutions, citizens, and security agencies to collectively resist any slide towards authoritarian practices and protect the credibility of elections. He issued a specific call to the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to adopt a stance of "patriotic non-alignment."
This framework, he explained, must be anchored on:
- Professionalism of security personnel.
- Constitutional fidelity and respect for the rule of law.
Itodo warned that partisan conduct by security agencies could "fatally undermine electoral integrity." He urged political actors to recommit to democratic norms and responsible leadership to prevent further erosion of public trust.
The statement comes as INEC prepares to conduct three off-cycle elections in 2026, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states, which will serve as critical precursors to the 2027 general elections.
