Nigeria’s electoral system is again under scrutiny, as shocking revelations emerge from the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Witness testimonies have exposed the depth of electoral fraud allegedly perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and collation officers—many of whom are university lecturers and professors. These intellectuals, entrusted with safeguarding democratic processes, are now being accused of falsifying results and announcing fabricated figures, particularly in Etsako East, Akoko-Edo, and Oredo local government areas.
The disturbing pattern of academic complicity in election rigging raises urgent questions about accountability and the rule of law. If electoral malpractice is to be curbed, there must be serious consequences for those who enable it. Returning officers who manipulate results should face immediate prosecution and, if found guilty, imprisonment. Without such deterrents, Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile, held hostage by unscrupulous individuals willing to betray public trust for political gain.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama once said, “The bedrock of every democracy is the rule of law, and that means we have to hold everyone accountable.” Yet, in Nigeria, electoral offenders often escape justice. The law is clear: the Electoral Act prescribes severe penalties for those found guilty of vote tampering, yet enforcement remains selective and inconsistent. It is time for civil society and the media to push harder for strict legal actions against these academic fraudsters.
Elections in Nigeria have become a battleground where the will of the people is often subverted by a few individuals who manipulate the process for selfish gains. The use of university lecturers and professors as collation and returning officers was intended to lend credibility to the electoral process. Instead, many of them have become willing tools in the hands of political actors, actively participating in vote rigging rather than preventing it.
As respected figures in society, academics are expected to embody integrity and professionalism. Their involvement in electoral fraud betrays both their profession and the democratic ideals they ought to uphold. “Democracy dies in darkness,” as the Washington Post famously states. The Nigerian media and civil society must shine a relentless light on these crimes, exposing and demanding accountability for every individual involved.
The impunity with which these acts are carried out emboldens future electoral offenders. If no professor or lecturer is prosecuted and jailed for their role in electoral fraud, others will continue to participate without fear of consequences. A bold step must be taken to put an end to this cycle.
Beyond legal consequences, Nigerian universities must also take disciplinary actions against faculty members implicated in election rigging. The credibility of academic institutions is at stake, and universities cannot afford to harbour individuals who trade their integrity for political favours. Academic dishonesty in politics casts a dark shadow over the education system and weakens public confidence in both governance and academia.
Furthermore, technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results must be enforced without compromise. However, technology alone is not enough. If electoral officers, particularly university lecturers, are not held accountable for their crimes, the integrity of the electoral process will continue to be compromised.
The role of the judiciary is also critical. Election tribunals must ensure that those found guilty of electoral fraud are removed from office and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The selective punishment of political opponents while shielding loyalists has undermined faith in the judicial process. If justice is to be served, it must be blind to political affiliations.
Civil society organizations, human rights groups, and democracy advocates must not relent in their fight against election fraud. Sustained advocacy, legal petitions, and public awareness campaigns must ensure that electoral offenders, particularly those in academia, are punished.
Likewise, the Nigerian media has a crucial role to play. Investigative journalism must go beyond reporting electoral malpractice it must actively expose and track electoral fraudsters, ensuring they are named, shamed, and prosecuted. “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty,” said Thomas Jefferson. It is the duty of every responsible media organization to resist the normalization of election fraud by amplifying demands for accountability.
The National Assembly must also review and strengthen electoral laws to ensure swift prosecution of electoral offenders. Special tribunals dedicated solely to election offences could expedite justice and prevent the endless legal gymnastics that allow culprits to evade punishment.
Ultimately, the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on its ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. If we fail to hold those manipulating results accountable, the country will continue to suffer from illegitimate leadership, poor governance, and political instability.
This is a call to action. The civil society, the media, and every patriotic Nigerian must rise and demand that professors and lecturers who aid election rigging face the full wrath of the law. Until we make an example of electoral fraudsters, Nigeria’s democracy will remain a mirage.
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray is a Journalist, fellow of the British College of Journalism, Human Resource Management Expert (CIPD), PhD student in International Politics and Conflicts Resolution, Sociopolitical Rights Activist and Publisher of Truth Live News, writes from London, England.