As the dust from the voting day settles, the glaring incompleteness of the results is fuelling fears of rigging, manipulation, and gross electoral malpractice. Can Nigerians continue to trust INEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections? Will this latest episode further erode faith in democracy, or will INEC manage to regain credibility before it is too late?
INEC’s Troubling Legacy: Is the IREV Portal a Tool for Transparency or Fraud?
INEC’s introduction of the IREV portal was initially celebrated as a progressive step toward electoral transparency. The online platform was designed to allow real-time access to results as they were uploaded from polling units, theoretically reducing opportunities for post-polling manipulation. However, the platform has not been without its critics. From operational inefficiencies to delayed uploads, many Nigerians have grown wary of whether the IREV portal is truly a step forward or simply a smokescreen for the traditional electoral rigging that has marred the nation’s history.
A Democratic Fiasco or Innocent Delay? The Suspicion Surrounding the Missing 25.32%
Many Nigerians are now asking: where is the remaining 25.32% of the election results? According to INEC, this portion of the results is yet to be uploaded due to “technical difficulties.” But such explanations have worn thin after years of similar delays that always seem to tilt in favour of incumbents or politically connected figures.
In Edo, a state known for its vibrant political scene and high voter engagement, any significant delay in uploading results naturally invites accusations of foul play. The opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have already raised concerns, accusing INEC of withholding certain results to “perfect the rigging formula.”
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, a voter who supports the Labour Party’s candidate openly challenged INEC’s excuses, calling the delay “a ploy to rig the election.” In his fiery remarks, he argued that in today’s digital age, there is no justification for not having all the results uploaded within hours of the polls closing.
The PDP, too, echoed these sentiments. Their candidate has threatened to mobilise legal action if the missing results show any evidence of discrepancies that could alter the electoral outcome. With such high-stakes rhetoric, the delay in uploading 100% of the results risks plunging Edo State into post-election unrest.
History Repeats Itself: INEC’s Consistent Failure to Ensure Timely Transparency
It is important to note that this is not the first time INEC has faced scrutiny over delayed uploads of election results. In the 2023 general elections, the IREV platform came under fire for its lack of real-time updates, which led to massive post-election protests in key states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Kano. Critics argue that INEC’s lack of preparation, coupled with systemic inefficiencies, have made the IREV portal more of a liability than an asset.
As the Edo governorship election unfolds, the delayed upload raises several critical questions about INEC’s preparedness and trustworthiness. Is the IREV portal capable of handling the volume of data that a state-wide election generates? Or is there a deliberate attempt to slow down the process to facilitate manipulation behind the scenes? These are questions Nigerians are demanding answers to.
An unnamed electoral officer based in Benin City revealed that “the delay was caused by a combination of network issues and the inability of polling officers in rural areas to upload results promptly.” But such technical explanations ring hollow in a country where accusations of vote-buying, ballot stuffing, and manipulation are rampant. If INEC cannot guarantee the integrity of the results through timely uploads, then its entire credibility is at risk.
Political Fallout: The High Stakes of Edo’s 2024 Election
The Edo governorship election is more than just a regional contest; it is a bellwether for Nigeria’s democratic future. As one of the few states with a history of swinging between the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the stakes in Edo have always been high. The state’s electorate, known for their political awareness and active participation, demands an election process that is beyond reproach.
With the national focus squarely on Edo, allegations of tampering or vote manipulation could have serious ramifications. Not only could it trigger violent protests in Edo itself, but it could also fuel national discontent. Nigeria’s 2024 general elections are looming large, and any significant electoral failure in Edo could be a precursor for chaos on a national scale.
For the APC, retaining control of Edo is paramount. The party has invested heavily in the state, both financially and politically. A loss here would be a significant blow to its power base, especially as it prepares for the upcoming presidential elections. Conversely, the PDP views Edo as a crucial battleground to reclaim its foothold in the South-South geopolitical zone. Losing this state would represent a serious setback for the party’s broader national ambitions.
In this high-stakes environment, both parties have a vested interest in the timely release of the results. The delayed uploads, therefore, fuel suspicions that one party is attempting to tip the scales in its favour.
The Future of Nigerian Democracy: Where Do We Go From Here?
The situation unfolding in Edo is emblematic of a larger crisis facing Nigeria’s democracy. INEC, which should be the impartial arbiter of the electoral process, is increasingly seen as a compromised institution, vulnerable to the machinations of politicians and vested interests. The partial upload of the results is not just a technical failure—it’s a failure of trust, transparency, and accountability.
As Nigeria moves toward its next general elections, the lessons of Edo must not be ignored. Without an electoral body that can ensure the full and timely publication of results, without any shadow of manipulation, Nigeria’s democracy will remain under siege. If INEC cannot fix these systemic flaws, the consequences could be catastrophic—not just for Edo but for the entire nation.
In the coming hours, as the remaining 25.32% of the results are uploaded, Nigerians will be watching closely. Will the results reflect the true will of the people, or will this be another case of democratic betrayal? For now, Edo stands at a crossroads, and so does Nigeria’s future.
The 2024 Edo governorship election has exposed yet again the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. INEC’s failure to provide 100% real-time results, compounded by growing accusations of manipulation, risks undermining faith in the entire electoral process. As the public awaits the upload of the remaining 25.32%, the credibility of the election—and indeed, Nigeria’s democracy—hangs in the balance.