The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations that Nigerians have lost faith in the country’s electoral system, labeling such claims as unfounded and lacking evidence. The rebuttal comes amid recent criticisms from civil society and religious organizations highlighting perceived public disillusionment with the electoral process.
In a statement on Sunday, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, emphasized strong public participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as proof of sustained trust in the system. “The notion that Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral process is more myth than reality,” Oyekanmi told journalists, pointing to the significant turnout, particularly among youths, in the CVR that began on August 18, 2025.
The CVR, which allows eligible voters to pre-register online before completing the process in person, saw remarkable engagement. Within seven hours of the portal’s launch at 8:30 a.m. on August 18, 69,376 Nigerians had pre-registered, with 48.7% male (33,803) and 51.3% female (35,573). By August 24, one week later, 1,379,342 had completed online pre-registration, and by September 1, the figure surged to 2,532,062. Five weeks into the exercise, on September 21, INEC reported 5,385,060 online pre-registrations.
In-person registration, which started on August 25, also recorded strong participation. By September 19, 399,162 online pre-registrants had completed their registration, while 365,533 registered in person, totaling 764,695 completed registrations in one month. “No African country has achieved such voter registration figures in such a short period,” Oyekanmi said, underscoring that in-person biometric capture is mandatory under Sections 9(7) and 10(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Reflecting on the 2023 general election, Oyekanmi highlighted its success in producing the most diverse National Assembly since 1999. Seven political parties secured Senate seats: APC (59), PDP (36), LP (8), NNPP (2), SDP (2), APGA (1), and YPP (1). Eight parties won seats in the House of Representatives: APC (177), PDP (117), LP (35), NNPP (19), APGA (5), ADC (2), SDP (2), and YPP (2). At the state level, nine parties secured seats in State Assemblies, and four parties won governorships: APC (16), PDP (10), LP (1), and NNPP (1).
Oyekanmi also pointed to recent bye-elections as evidence of continued public faith in the electoral process. He criticized some detractors for their contradictory stance, noting that “some of INEC’s most ardent critics are also calling for the commission to oversee local government elections, yet they cannot continue to walk on both sides of the road.”
INEC’s robust defense underscores its commitment to maintaining public trust as it prepares for future elections, with the ongoing CVR serving as a key indicator of citizen engagement.
