Opinion

Fraudulent elections: In whose interest?

Published

9 months ago

February 11, 2026

Nigerian electronic voting debate intensifies as analyst argues technology cannot guarantee free and fair elections without moral reform

“Men at some times are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves that we are underlings… ” – Cassius to Brutus in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Also read: Lawmakers Delay Electoral Reforms While Muslims Call for INEC Boss to Step Down

I dare to say that it is not the absence of laws that has denied Nigeria free and fair elections. We have a surfeit of laws that should have guaranteed that we always have credible elections.

In other words, the fault is not in the absence of laws – or the inadequacy of laws – it is in us the people that implement the laws.

The fault, dear compatriots, is not in our laws but in ourselves that we have been unable to organise free and fair elections!

What have we not tried? Cardreaders gulped billions of Naira, but it failed us, and we discarded them.

Perhaps, it is better to say we were the ones that failed card-readers! What works fantastically well in other places fails woefully here.

The fault is not in the system or technology – it is us, its users and manipulators. Billions of Naira went down the drains with the card readers.

We shifted to BVAS. Billions of Naira again went into its procurement.

We were told, just as we had been told with card-readers – that BVAS was the magic wand that would give us credible elections.

Again, BVAS failed us! Or, better still, we failed BVAS – just like we failed its elder brother called card-readers. Billions of Naira again went down the drains.

Lest I forget, there was iRev! Did it work here?

Now we are being told that
electronically-transmitted election results are the panacea to election irregularities in this country.

Once elections are electronically-transmitted, Eureka! This is another lie from the pit of hell!

Will election results electronically transmit themselves or it is human beings that will still transmit the results? Will electronic gadgets operate by themselves or will people still operate them? Are we going to manufacture or mint new and fresh people to man the gadgets or the same Nigerians that you and I know too well are those that will still man and operate the gadgets? Are we, like the Dangote refinery, going to India to import people who will man the electronic gadgets and manage our elections for us?

We are adept at telling ourselves lies, like the proverbial ostrich that hides only its head in the sand while its rump remains exposed.

We run away from our problems and chase shadows. No amount of gadgets will give us free and fair elections. We will only end up wasting billions of Naira again.

Every election cycle, some people smile their way to the bank while Nigerians eager to have free and fair elections gnash their teeth and bemoan their circumstance.

No gadgets will deliver credible elections to Nigerians.

Only Nigerians can deliver credible elections unto themselves. Unfortunately, Nigerians, as I perceive them today, are not wired to deliver credible elections to themselves.

The protests and placard-carrying by those yelling for electronically-transmitted election results are mere roadshows and election campaign gambits.

It is just another charade of those who leave the substance to chase shadows. If and after the 2027 elections are transmitted electronically and nothing has changed, you will say I said so!

Is it not Nigeria? This same Nigeria that we all know like the back of our hands? The integrity of elections – or the absence of it – is directly proportional to the integrity or absence of it in many stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

Electoral laws, important as they are, are not the only factors responsible for, or contributing to the success of elections. Equally important – in fact, more important – are the roles played and the actions taken by politicians, the voters themselves, the election umpire, the security agencies, and, wait for it, the judges who adjudicate in election disputes.

For instance, can electronically-transmitted election results prevent judges from entering the same kind of judgment they delivered in Kogi state (involving Yahaya Bello) or in Imo state (involving Hope Uzodinma)?

Like a woman lacking in good character who bemoans what she describes as her ill-luck in choosing a good husband, Nigerians, having lost all morals, complain about the inadequacy of laws! Yet, the best election ever conducted in this country was the simplest – and, possibly, the cheapest!

The Option A4 that produced the June 12, 1993 presidential election between MKO Abiola and Bashir Tofa was conducted with voters simply queuing in front of the poster of their preferred candidate.

And Nigerians as well as the international community agreed that the election was not only free and fair – and the freest and fairest ever in Nigeria – but also credible by all international standards.

No card readers. No BVAS. No iRev. No electronically-transmitted results.

The simplicity of that election must have saved the country billions of Naira.

That election ought to have taught us useful lessons.

Nigerians generally were tired of ruinous military rule and desperately wanted an escape route out of it.

A return to democracy, civil or civilian rule was seen as the most viable option.

But 26/27 years down the road, have the civilians creditably discharged themselves? If a referendum or opinion poll is conducted today, will you be surprised if a large number of Nigerians are despondent about civilian rule?

MKO Abiola had a message, which resonated with the people.

Farewell to poverty! And his roadmap to achieving it at the earliest possible time – he gave himself six months in the first instance – appeared credible to the people.

Since 1999, what can anyone point at as the message of our successive leaders that has fired the imagination and stoked the nationalistic fervour of the people?

Abiola’s larger-than-life personality was also something else. He nearly won a pan-Nigeria mandate; only in the south-east did he badly trail his opponent.

Governmental failure since 1999 has led to political apathy, such that a preponderance of Nigerians do not care whether there are elections or not – not to talk of them being free and fair! With the weaponization of poverty, many of those who still go out to vote do so to collect the peanuts that politicians dole out to buy votes.

Now, will electronically-transmitted results stop vote-selling and vote-buying? Will electronically-transmitted results ensure internal democracy in the political parties? Will electronically-transmitted results put an end to the godfather/godson syndrome, the like of which has made Rivers state ungovernable in the past few years?

Before anyone will say that I am against electronically-transmitted election results, let me say categorically that I am not! What I am only saying is that, that, in itself, will not deliver credible or guarantee free and fair elections.

The problems bedevilling credible elections here precede the actual casting, counting, recording of votes and announcement of election results.

Most, if not all, of the political parties lack internal democracy. So, godfathers, instead of party members, decide who stands for election.

From that very foundation, free choice is impaired.

The best candidates are seldom presented to the electorate. Whatever choice made afterwards by the voters is, therefore, stunted right from the word “go.”

And whether or not we electronically-transmit results, voters do not have the last say on election matters. The courts and judges do!

In a 1787 letter, Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States of America, was quoted as saying: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

While we can interpret that statement to mean a strong advocacy for freedom of speech – and it sure is – I can also recoin it thus: Were I to choose between an electoral process full of morals without laws and that full of laws without morals, I will not hesitate a moment to choose the former.

On a trip to Germany in 1994 at the invitation of the German government, my guide, a university professor, told me the percentage of Germans who would willingly do the right thing without anyone compelling them was between 85 and 87 percent.

Yet, she said they were still trying to do some catching up with the Scandinavian countries where the same percentage hovered around 97 percent.

Whaaoh! She waited for me to catch my breath before adding that the vagrant 3 percent was usually accounted for largely by immigrants! Racism? Not quite! Reality that we are well familiar with!

Elections run seamlessly in some countries. Not the bloody battles that we witness here. And at a fraction of the humongous costs we incur here. But what should anyone expect?

Terrorism and banditry, kidnapping and ransom-taking, criminal activities and politics are the most lucrative businesses around here these days. There is no consequence for bad behaviour.

Everyone wants quick and easy money.

The prayers that receive the loudest “Amen” or “Amin” in places of worship are those that decree little work but big rewards!

Be those in power or the ones angling to replace them, what kind of examples are we giving the younger generations with the kind of leaders we parade?

Clean elections cannot but be a rarity in climes such as ours whether or not we electronically transmit more than election results!

Also read: Electronic Transmission and the Myth of a Silver Bullet

Interestingly, it is, ultimately, a lose-lose situation for both the beneficiaries of fraudulent elections and its victims!

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Opinion

Why Nigeria needs the All-Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit

Published

6 days ago

November 3, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The All-Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit will examine how good governance, justice and equity can help Nigeria build lasting peace

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Entertainment

Reel Momentum: Nollywood Releases That Defined Q3

Published

3 weeks ago

October 21, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Olayinka Akanbi

The third quarter of 2026 offered a clear picture of where Nollywood stands today. Across July, August and September, filmmakers told stories centred on family, culture, history, identity and everyday life.

Some films looked inward at personal struggles, while others drew from folklore, real-life events and Nigeria’s past.

Also read: Orlando Owoh Music Festival Set for November 7 in Lagos

There were also signs of change in how films are distributed, with streaming platforms increasing their investment in original content.

July was defined by personal, character-driven stories.

One of the standout releases was Alechenu, directed by Biodun Stephen, which followed the journey of an autistic teenager travelling from Oyo State to Lagos in search of the mother he had never met.

The film explored themes of family, identity and perseverance through a simple yet emotional narrative.

Around the same period, Lami focused on the life of a retired soldier grappling with the emotional effects of war, examining trauma, healing and second chances through the experience of one man trying to rebuild his life.

Another notable release, The Return of Omotara Johnson, marked the return of veteran actress Bukky Wright in a crime drama centred on family secrets and unresolved past conflicts.

Later in the month, films such as Wire Wire and Njem: The Journey continued the trend of storytelling rooted in real-life experiences and social issues.

In August, attention shifted towards history, tradition and culture.

The month opened with Sweet 16, a coming-of-age family drama that also drew attention as one of the final completed performances by the late actor Alexx Ekubo.

This was followed by Ikenga: The Last Festival, a story centred on tradition, power and destiny, featuring veteran actors Pete Edochie and Patience Ozokwor.

Released around the same period, Aláhùn (The Weaver) drew heavily from Yoruba mythology and folklore, highlighting a growing interest in indigenous narratives and local fantasy storytelling.

Towards the end of the month, King Kosoko revisited the life of one of Lagos’ most influential historical rulers, reflecting a broader shift by filmmakers towards exploring Nigeria’s history on screen.

By September, the conversation had expanded beyond storytelling to include audience engagement and distribution models.

One of the month’s notable releases was Mama Deola’s Wedding Story, which became the first original production from Nigerian streaming platform Kava. Its release underscored the increasing role of local streaming services in shaping the industry.

Other films focused on contemporary life and younger audiences.

Ordinary People examined the lives of everyday Nigerians, while 19 explored themes of identity, ambition and relationships from a youthful perspective.

One Gidi Night captured the rhythm and character of Lagos, using the city itself as a central narrative element.

The month also saw the release of Black Market, which generated widespread attention due to efforts to stage a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest film screening audience at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

Taken together, these releases reflect an industry in transition one that is expanding its storytelling range while experimenting with new platforms, audiences and formats.

Also read: Orlando Owoh Music Festival Set for November 7 in Lagos

Nollywood is not only telling more stories; it is also redefining how those stories are created, distributed and experienced.

Opinion

Rotary hails IPDG Lanre Adedoyin polio drive

Published

2 months ago

September 14, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Victor Ojelabi,

The Rotary Foundation has recognised the polio eradication efforts of Rotary International District 9112 under Immediate Past District Governor Lanre Adedoyin, following the District’s transfer of District Designated Funds to the PolioPlus Fund during the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year, a contribution acknowledged recently, as part of the global funding effort to protect children from the disease.

Also read: Rotary Club of Lagos Strengthens Traders With Fresh ₦6m Business Grant

The recognition brings a fitting international dimension to a Rotary year in which Adedoyin, a lawyer and member of the Rotary Club of Surulere South, repeatedly placed polio eradication among District 9112’s major humanitarian priorities across Lagos and Ogun states.

In a message addressed to District 9112, The Rotary Foundation thanked the District for committing its District Designated Funds to the campaign, saying the collective support from Rotary districts helped the organisation reach its fundraising target and secure matching funds that translate into US$150 million for polio eradication.

“Your support helped Rotary reach our goal and secure the matching funds that translate into US$150 million toward eradicating polio,” the Foundation said.

The money has consequences far beyond the balance sheet.

According to the Foundation, polio funding supports frontline workers taking vaccines into remote communities, environmental surveillance capable of detecting the virus in wastewater and programmes designed to interrupt transmission in affected areas.

The Foundation said the continuing effort was particularly important in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only two countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic.

That assessment is consistent with Rotary International’s latest account of the global campaign.

Rotary says its partnership with the Gates Foundation generates up to US$150 million annually for polio eradication, with Rotary raising US$50 million and the Foundation providing a two-to-one match.

The money supports vaccine procurement, social mobilisation, outbreak response, surveillance and other operational requirements.

Rotary’s involvement stretches back decades. Its first polio vaccination project began in the Philippines in 1979, and the organisation became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Since then, global polio cases have fallen by 99.9 per cent.

For Nigeria, the story carries particular resonance.

The country recorded its last case of wild poliovirus in Borno State in August 2016.

Four years later, the World Health Organisation African Region was formally certified free of wild poliovirus, leaving Afghanistan and Pakistan as the remaining countries with endemic transmission.

That historic achievement, however, did not mean the end of the polio challenge in Nigeria.

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus can still emerge in communities with low immunisation coverage, making vaccination and surveillance essential even in countries that have eliminated wild poliovirus.

It was against that backdrop that the IPDG’s polio drive developed during the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year.

Adedoyin, who became the second District Governor of District 9112 following the division of the former District 9110, had signalled early in his tenure that healthcare would remain a central part of the District’s service programme.

His installation in Lagos in July 2025 marked the beginning of a year that subsequently combined fundraising with grassroots advocacy and support for health workers.

By September 2025, the District had held a PolioPlus seminar at which Adedoyin warned against complacency simply because wild poliovirus had disappeared from Nigeria. District records show that the campaign remained prominent in its programme in the months that followed.

In October, Districts 9111 and 9112 took the End Polio Now message beyond conventional conference halls with a joint train journey from Lagos to Abeokuta.

Led by Adedoyin and then District 9111 Governor Henry Akinyele, alongside Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee Chairman Joshua Hassan and other Rotary leaders, the initiative turned the train journey into a public awareness campaign for polio eradication.

District 9112 also took the message to communities in Ogun State, including a roughly 10-kilometre Keep Polio @ Zero awareness walk in Sagamu aimed particularly at encouraging parents and guardians to ensure that children receive their vaccinations.

In Lagos, the campaign moved from advocacy to practical support.

District 9112 donated 100 pairs of rain boots and 200 raincoats to the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in October 2025 to assist health personnel working on polio eradication during the rainy season. The intervention was valued at about ₦1.6 million.

Adedoyin made the District’s position clear at the presentation.

“Our commitment to ending polio is absolute,” Adedoyin said. “We will continue working with the Lagos State Government and our partners until polio is completely wiped out.”

Another significant moment came towards the end of his tenure.

In June 2026, District 9112 announced that it had raised US$13,000 through the World’s Greatest Meal initiative for The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund.

The contribution was described by World’s Greatest Meal Committee Chairman Tokunbo Opanubi as one of the highest recorded by the District through the initiative.

The US$13,000 contribution is separate from the District Designated Funds now acknowledged by The Rotary Foundation.

Together, however, the initiatives illustrate the different channels through which District 9112 supported the global eradication campaign during Adedoyin’s tenure.

District Designated Funds form part of The Rotary Foundation’s funding system and allow Rotary districts to direct portions of avail

IPDG Lanre Adedoyin with wife at a Rotary event recently

able Foundation resources towards eligible programmes.

PolioPlus is one of the avenues through which districts can deploy such resources in support of Rotary’s eradication objective.

The Foundation’s latest acknowledgement therefore adds another layer to District 9112’s polio record for the 2025 to 2026 year.

It also demonstrates the multiplier effect behind Rotary’s funding model.

A contribution originating from clubs and districts can ultimately support a much larger global pool used for vaccines, surveillance, community mobilisation and the difficult task of reaching children in areas affected by conflict, insecurity or geographical isolation.

The stakes remain considerable.

Polio is a potentially fatal infectious disease that primarily affects young children and can invade the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis.

Although its global footprint has been reduced dramatically, Rotary cautions that eradication requires sustained vaccination and surveillance until transmission has been stopped everywhere.

The Foundation’s message to District 9112 captured that unfinished mission.

It thanked the District for supporting the PolioPlus Fund and helping move the world closer to the point where “no child is threatened by this disease ever again”.

For Adedoyin, who handed over the governorship of District 9112 at the end of the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year, the recognition offers a powerful postscript to a year in which the District’s contribution was measured not only in fundraising figures, but also in public advocacy, community mobilisation and support for those working closest to vulnerable children.

Also read: Rotary Club of Lagos Strengthens Traders With Fresh ₦6m Business Grant

And for District 9112, the acknowledgement connects a local Rotary story from Lagos and Ogun states to a much larger global ambition: ensuring that the final cases of polio become part of history rather than the beginning of another outbreak.