Coalition Without Electoral Reforms Useless For 2027 – Farotimi
Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has warned that any coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections would be meaningless without pressing for electoral reforms.
Speaking on Channels TV’s State of the Nation, Farotimi said, “Every coalition of opposition will work in vain, if the people fail to demand electoral reforms. The system is rigged ab initio.”
He dismissed the possibility of the current administration driving any genuine reform process.
“I think it will be not only simplistic but exceedingly foolish when you want to expect that All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be interested in an electoral reform that would ensure transparency in the electoral process. This is a government that is beneficial of an electoral hijack,” he stated.
Recounting his personal experience during the 2023 elections, he said, “I was charged with the duty of collecting Form EC8A from INEC in Lagos State, and I can say without equivocation that the then INEC commissioner in Lagos State could not produce a single Form EC8A because the entire result in Lagos State was a fraud,” he alleged.
He insisted that Nigerians must actively demand reforms, even through peaceful protests.
“Power is not served; you grab it, snatch it, and you run with it. But it is the right of citizens to expect to be given the power to vote and decide who rules them,” he said.
Farotimi stressed that electoral reform is about ensuring citizens’ voices are respected.
“We should be making that demand very clearly.”
He urged citizens, civil society groups, and all stakeholders to unite in demanding a transparent electoral process, saying Nigerians have suffered from abuse of power and must now insist on change.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
