NDC Kogi East senatorial candidate says electoral fraud undermines legitimacy, weakens accountability and shuts poor Nigerians out of political power
Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kogi East Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections and National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has condemned what he described as persistent electoral criminality in Nigeria, warning that disputed elections have continued to undermine democratic legitimacy, weaken accountability and frustrate national development.
Ameh argued that Nigeria’s inability to achieve credible, committed and people-oriented leadership is closely linked to electoral malpractice, insisting that the country cannot build a functional democracy when election outcomes fail to reflect the genuine wishes of voters.
In a strongly worded statement, the politician said the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process had remained a major concern since the return to civilian rule in 1999, contending that allegations of vote manipulation, electoral violence and institutional failures had repeatedly cast doubts on the legitimacy of political mandates.
According to him, elections constitute the foundation of democratic governance, and any process that undermines the votes of citizens weakens the relationship between elected officials and the people they are expected to serve.
He maintained that when political officeholders do not genuinely derive their mandates from the electorate, the incentive to remain accountable to citizens becomes weakened.
Ameh warned that the consequences extend beyond the political arena, affecting public trust, governance, economic opportunities and the country’s overall development.
Electoral fraud undermines accountability
The NDC candidate argued that electoral malpractice creates a dangerous situation in which political power becomes disconnected from popular consent.
He said a credible electoral system should guarantee that candidates who receive the lawful majority of votes are declared winners, while those who lose accept the outcome in accordance with the law.
Ameh contended that where election results are manipulated or legitimate mandates are subverted, the democratic process is reversed, leaving citizens with limited confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting their votes.
He further argued that leaders whose positions are secured through electoral manipulation may feel less compelled to respond to the needs and expectations of the electorate.
The politician therefore called for fundamental improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system, stressing that free, fair, transparent and credible elections are indispensable to restoring public confidence in democratic institutions.
Poor Nigerians bear the greatest burden
Ameh also raised concerns about the financial implications of Nigeria’s electoral system, arguing that the high cost of seeking political office has increasingly placed elective positions beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, when elections are dominated by excessive spending, political patronage and alleged manipulation, the country’s democratic space risks becoming the exclusive preserve of wealthy individuals and powerful political interests.
He warned that such a situation undermines political inclusion and deprives millions of Nigerians, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, of a fair opportunity to participate in governance.
Ameh maintained that democracy must provide equal opportunities for qualified citizens to contest elections and contribute to national development, rather than operate as a system in which financial strength determines access to political power.
He called for an electoral environment that rewards popular support, competence, integrity and public service rather than money, influence or access to political machinery.
Citizens urged to protect their votes
The CUPP National Chairman emphasised that the responsibility for credible elections should not rest solely on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties or election observers.
He called on Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process and remain vigilant before, during and after elections.
According to him, citizens must be prepared to monitor proceedings at polling units, document electoral irregularities, report violations through lawful channels and insist that votes cast are accurately counted and transmitted in accordance with the applicable electoral laws.
Ameh argued that sustained citizen participation would make it more difficult for electoral malpractice to go undetected and help strengthen public confidence in election outcomes.
He stressed that protecting the ballot requires collective commitment, adding that passive observation cannot adequately address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s electoral system.
### Calls for credible elections ahead of 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Ameh said the country could not afford another electoral process that leaves substantial sections of the electorate questioning the credibility of the outcome.
He urged electoral authorities, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and citizens to prioritise transparency, accountability and strict compliance with electoral laws.
He also called for an electoral environment in which voters can exercise their franchise without intimidation, coercion or inducement, and where election results accurately reflect the lawful choices made at the ballot box.
Ameh maintained that credible elections are essential not only for determining who occupies public office but also for establishing the legitimacy required to govern effectively and earn the trust of the people.
He insisted that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the ability of its institutions and citizens to defend electoral integrity and reject practices that undermine popular sovereignty.
Concluding his remarks, the NDC candidate declared that the time for empty promises and half-measures had passed, urging Nigerians to move beyond passive observation and take an active role in defending democracy.
He maintained that only elections that genuinely reflect the will of the electorate can restore public confidence, strengthen accountability, widen political participation and create the conditions for credible leadership and sustainable national development.
Ameh’s central message is that Nigeria’s democratic renewal must begin at the ballot box: until citizens’ votes are protected and electoral outcomes command public confidence, the country’s quest for accountable leadership will remain severely challenged.
