Voters Registration Exercise: Atiku raises alarm over judicial, electoral process, demands comprehensive reforms
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphasized the need for comprehensive electoral and judicial reforms to guarantee the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement released on August 28, 2025, Atiku expressed concern over the declining quality of elections in Nigeria, citing the low voter turnout in the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Atiku noted that the enthusiasm of Nigerians in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise is commendable, but stressed that it is not enough to just register for Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He argued that far-reaching reforms are necessary to ensure electoral integrity, strengthen public confidence, and promote judicial independence.
The former Vice President highlighted several areas that require reform, including the use of Biometric Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) and electronic transmission of election results.
He proposed amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act to make the use of BVAS and electronic transmission of results mandatory, without discretion for manual accreditation or transmission.
Atiku also called for the democratization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by subjecting the positions of Chairman, Resident Electoral Commissioners, and National Electoral Commissioners to democratic voting by the people.
Furthermore, Atiku suggested that INEC should prove substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution in the conduct of elections in an election petition, rather than the petitioner.
The former Vice President’s call for reforms comes amid concerns over the increasing influence of the judiciary in determining electoral outcomes. He warned that if left unchecked, this trend could undermine the legitimacy of democratic processes and concentrate power in the hands of a small elite.
Atiku’s proposals aim to return power to the people and ensure that they have a genuine say in choosing their leaders. The question remains whether these reforms will be implemented in time to make a difference in the next election cycle.
