Nnenna Oti exposes that she was given a financial incentive to rig the results of the election

Following disclosures made by Professor Nnenna Oti, the Returning Officer for the Abia State governorship election for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system has once again come under fire. Oti made the shocking admission that she was given a financial incentive to rig the election outcomes.

The Returning Officer’s responsibility is to make sure the election procedure is accurate and transparent. However, the integrity of the election is compromised and the will of the people is thwarted when these authorities open themselves up to bribes…… CONTINUE READING 

In this instance, it calls into question the validity of the Abia State election results as well as the legitimacy of the complete Nigerian electoral process.

Additionally, it is essential that actions are done to stop similar incidents from happening again during future elections. The Returning Officers and other poll officials’ independence and impartiality should be guaranteed by stronger mechanisms set in place by the INEC. Programs for education and sensitization on the value of maintaining electoral purity should be included in this.

Additionally, to address the underlying causes of corruption in Nigeria’s political system, the government and civic society organisations should collaborate. This could involve measures to combat poverty and unemployment, which are frequently mentioned as motivators of corruption, as well as reforms targeted at enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance practises.

In conclusion, it is concerning that the INEC Returning Officer in the Abia State governorship race disclosed that she was given a financial incentive to rig the results. It serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties Nigeria confronts in holding credible, free, and fair elections. To investigate this matter and punish those accountable, the authorities must move quickly. To stop similar incidents from occurring again in the future, they must also take measures to strengthen the electoral process…… CONTINUE READING