Activist Aisha Yesufu has called on Nigerians to unite and take responsibility for ensuring credible elections in 2027, warning against complacency and manipulation.
In a post shared on her official X handle, the outspoken activist asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot rig any election without the cooperation of citizens.
According to her, “No rigging can happen without our support. It is we, the people, who have refused to engage, waiting for God to do it all.”
She emphasized that electoral fraud is carried out by ordinary citizens within the system, adding that “INEC is not the problem. The people in INEC are the problem and they are among the 220 million people. There is no INEC Chairman that can rig an election if the people working in INEC do not collude.”
Aisha further noted that those responsible for electoral malpractice are often friends, family members, or colleagues.
“These people are our brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, children, cousins, neighbors, church members, fellow mosque worshippers, and work colleagues. Let us begin to warn each other not to rig or allow rigging,” she wrote.
She extended her criticism beyond INEC, saying that the judiciary, police, and military are not inherently corrupt, but are weakened by the bad actors within them.
“The judiciary is not the problem; the people in the judiciary are the problem. The police are not the problem; the people in the police are the problem. The military is not the problem; the people in the military are the problem,” she stated.
Aisha concluded her message with a strong call to action, urging Nigerians to vote, defend their votes, and ensure proper counting.
“Unless you vote and defend your vote and ensure it is counted for your candidate, what you did is not voting but paper painting,” she added.
