A recent Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership report has exposed significant irregularities in the Edo 2024 Governorship Election. The report, titled “Compromised by Design? The Fragile Integrity of INEC’s Technology,” accuses the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberate lapses that compromised the election’s integrity. Truth Live News International obtained the statement, signed by Aliyu Jalal, the Athena Centre’s media adviser.
Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre and a former Minister of Aviation, described the election as “the first time I’ve ever seen such a compromised, systemic effort to alter an election in Nigeria by the electoral umpire.” This strong statement underscores the severity of the allegations detailed in the report.
The report highlights several alarming issues, including inflated accreditation figures recorded across hundreds of polling units. “These figures do not align with the actual voter turnout, pointing to deliberate manipulation,” Chidoka remarked during the findings’ release.
Another troubling aspect is the over-voting recorded at ward collation centres, significantly altering the election results. The report further revealed that INEC refused to release critical documents for over 210,000 registered voters, raising concerns about transparency.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which was expected to enhance credibility, was reportedly compromised. According to the Athena Centre’s findings, this failure enabled vote manipulation across party lines, undermining trust in the electoral process.
“The BVAS was designed to eliminate rigging, but in this case, it was weaponised against its purpose,” Chidoka said. This claim is supported by evidence of systemic gaps within INEC’s operations, which the report describes as enabling malpractice.
The report calls for a comprehensive overhaul of INEC to ensure its independence and credibility. Its recommendations include mandatory post-election audits to validate results and new legislation to criminalise intentional mismanagement of elections.
Drawing lessons from international best practices, the report emphasises the need for stricter governance of election technology and enhanced public oversight. “Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path if it seeks to preserve its democracy,” the statement reads.
Aliyu Jalal, who signed the press release, stressed the urgency of addressing these systemic flaws. “This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s electoral system. Stakeholders must act swiftly to restore public confidence,” he stated.
The Athena Centre’s report has sparked widespread discussions about the future of Nigeria’s democracy. It serves as a call to action for policymakers, civil society organisations, and citizens to address the weaknesses that jeopardise the country’s electoral integrity.
The full report is available for download on the Athena Centre’s website. Its findings are hoped to galvanise reforms to protect Nigeria’s democratic processes in future elections.