2027: ‘Bar ‘partisan lecturers’ from collating election results’ – ADC tells INEC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exclude university lecturers with political affiliations from serving as returning and collation officers in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, expressed concern following reports that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities in northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election.
The ADC argued that this situation raises significant questions about the impartiality of university staff who are typically appointed as election officials. The party cautioned that the involvement of academics who have publicly expressed political support could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and lead to conflicts of interest. Many of these lecturers and vice-chancellors assume crucial roles in collating results and announcing winners.
While the ADC acknowledged that academics are entitled to voice their political opinions, it emphasized that those who have declared support for a candidate should be excluded from participating in the election results process involving their favored candidate.
“It would be inappropriate for someone who has campaigned for a candidate to be responsible for counting votes and declaring results in that same election,” the statement said.
The party urged INEC to develop and publicly share clear guidelines that would disqualify academics and other potential election officials with partisan ties from serving in the upcoming elections. Additionally, the ADC recommended that INEC release the list of intended returning and collation officers well in advance of the elections to enhance transparency.
According to the ADC, early disclosure would enable political parties and the public to review the list and identify any possible conflicts of interest.
“The integrity of any election begins with the neutrality of those overseeing the process, long before the first ballot is cast,” the statement asserted.
The ADC concluded by stating that Nigerians deserve election officials with unquestionable impartiality.
