Obi to UN, EU: Don't just fund INEC—hold it accountable for 2027 polls
Peter Obi told the UN, EU and other international partners today that funding INEC isn't enough—they must actively hold the commission accountable to deliver credible 2027 elections. In a post on his verified X handle Monday, the NDC presidential candidate said Nigeria spends billions on elections without results people can trust, and warned that electoral manipulation could threaten national stability beyond our borders.
Obi argued that international monitoring and pressure are essential to ensure INEC "does the right thing." He emphasized Nigerians want elections where their votes actually count, and that the future of Nigeria's democracy must not be sacrificed to political interests.
The call comes as INEC prepares for the 2027 cycle amid lingering credibility questions from 2023. International partners typically provide technical and financial support to INEC, but Obi's framing shifts focus to enforcement—whether donors will tie funding to measurable transparency benchmarks.
For voters, the intelligence is clear: electoral integrity depends on both domestic vigilance and international accountability mechanisms. The question isn't just whether INEC gets resources, but whether anyone with leverage uses it.
Will sustained international pressure translate to concrete reforms before 2027, or will it remain diplomatic rhetoric?