Political activist Timi Frank has expressed concern that Nigeria could experience unrest similar to Nepal’s if the upcoming 2027 general elections lack credibility. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement essential reforms prior to the elections to guarantee a transparent and fair electoral process. Frank emphasized the need for immediate reforms and ethical leadership from electoral and security bodies to avoid increased risks of violence and political turmoil, akin to the ENDSARS protests in 2020. The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made these remarks in a statement from Abuja. He also called on US President Donald Trump and the international community to pressure the Nigerian government, particularly INEC and the National Assembly, to prioritize electoral reforms, asserting that without them, fair elections in 2027 would be impossible. Frank urged for a new INEC chair with demonstrated integrity as Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure comes to an end. He suggested that the US should impose stricter sanctions on judges, justices, and INEC officials who might jeopardize the electoral process, endorsing Trump’s commitment to genuine democracy across Africa. He insisted that security agencies must remain impartial and cease their traditional role in rigging elections for the ruling party, and instead focus on safeguarding voters and preventing political violence. He stated that not addressing this risk could lead Nigeria into a crisis even more severe than the recent turmoil in Nepal, considering the country’s issues with poverty and oppression.
