Stakeholders in Nigeria’s South-East have expressed divided opinions over a proposal for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all national and subnational elections on a single day.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, some political actors, legal professionals, and civil society representatives said the reform could enhance fairness and cut costs. Others, however, warned that Nigeria’s electoral infrastructure may not yet be equipped for such a complex undertaking.
Advocates for the change argue that holding presidential, national assembly, governorship, and state assembly elections simultaneously would curb the so-called “bandwagon effect”, where the outcome of the presidential vote influences subsequent polls.
Paschal Ogbu, a legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, said the current staggered approach undermines grassroots democracy. “Once the presidential results are announced, it often skews voter perception in favour of the winning party,” he said. “A single-day election would also reduce costs and streamline logistics and security deployment.”
Echoing the sentiment, Chioma Nwali, who leads a women-focused civil society organisation, Gender Perspectives, described the current format as inefficient and prone to voter fatigue. “Conducting elections in phases wastes resources and discourages participation. A unified voting day in 2027 would be more cost-effective and potentially raise voter turnout,” she said.
Labour Party chieftain Chief Ephraim Oketa called for a return to Nigeria’s 1979 electoral format, when all votes were cast on the same day. “It will strengthen the credibility of the process and reflect the people’s genuine choice,” he said.
But others urged caution. Sunday Ali, a retired INEC official, questioned whether the commission’s current capacity could handle the simultaneous execution of multiple elections nationwide. “The logistical requirements, technical risks, and security challenges are enormous,” he warned.
Dr Eugene Otuu, a political science lecturer, argued for a more measured approach, saying that administrative flexibility and phased elections can help manage systemic pressure. “Rather than change the sequence, we should focus on strengthening the credibility of the existing process,” he said.
A former Ebonyi State lawmaker, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the strategic advantage politicians gain from the current arrangement. “Some align with winning parties after the presidential poll, and that would change significantly if the election calendar is altered,” he noted, adding that any reform would require legislative backing and could face resistance.
Nigeria currently conducts elections in two phases—presidential/national assembly and then governorship/state assembly. This format, used in the 2023 general elections, has sparked ongoing debate among electoral experts and civil society groups about how best to enhance transparency and cost-efficiency.
INEC has yet to issue an official statement on whether it is considering a single-day model for the 2027 general elections.
