Results of the most recent general elections and an unusually high volume of petitions for elections have increased skepticism about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ability to hold a free, fair, and credible election.
Even while the pattern of “election by court order” has persisted since the restoration of civil rule in 1999, the contested election results in this year’s polls that are awaiting judicial resolution are concerning.
For example, a total of 1,280 political positions were up for election in 2023, including the presidency, 109 senators, 360 seats in the Federal House of Representatives, 782 seats in the House of Assembly spread over 28 states of the union, and 28 governorships.
According to the judiciary, 1,209 petitions out of the total number are awaiting decision.
