BY AHMED AKANBI
National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that the 2027 general elections could be manipulated, urging electoral authorities to strengthen safeguards to protect voters’ mandate.
Baba-Ahmed said no election is completely immune from manipulation, but adequate measures could reduce malpractice and secure the will of the electorate.
He spoke with journalists when asked whether the 2027 elections could be rigged, and he replied: “Absolutely.”
The former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said electoral manipulation is not peculiar to Nigeria, noting that rigging allegations have occurred in other countries.
”There is no election that cannot be rigged,” he said, adding that authorities must take steps to prevent or limit attempts to undermine the process.
Baba-Ahmed also raised alarm over insecurity, warning it could disenfranchise voters in communities affected by banditry and kidnapping.
He said residents in parts of northern Nigeria are struggling to carry out daily activities due to security threats, a situation that could hinder access to polling units.
According to him, failure to improve security could allow insecurity to be weaponised to suppress voting.
”If you don’t improve the manner in which people can freely move out, you can use security to prevent people from voting completely,” he said.
The PRP chairman called on INEC to clearly communicate legal procedures governing announcement of results.
He said Nigerians need better understanding of electoral stages, including rules for declaring winners, to reduce confusion and disputes.
Baba-Ahmed urged electoral authorities to take practical steps to protect votes and ensure results reflect voters’ choices.
His warning comes as parties and stakeholders prepare for 2027, with credibility, insecurity and voter participation set to dominate discourse.