According to Mike Igini, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2027 general elections will be more than just a test of Nigeria’s democracy.
Igini made this claim on Tuesday during an interview on the “Morning Show” on Arise Television.
He says that Nigeria needs to keep advancing and implementing technology in its voting process as needed.
The former INEC commissioner issued a warning, saying that the media, civil society organisations, and Nigerians in general should be aware of the actions of the political elite before, during and after elections.
He added that perception plays a critical role in electoral integrity and every action of election management officials must show neutrality to keep public confidence.
Igini also raised fresh concerns over the role of courts in deciding elections, warning that polls that ought to be concluded at the polling units are now being determined in the courtroom.
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“The 2027 general elections will be more than a test. INEC will be judged, and officials, judiciary will be judged.
“More importantly, the politicians who are seeking for political office will be judged.
“And indeed, the figures of providence will pass a verdict on them in the 2027 election,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the collection of the newly printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be on personal recognition and not by proxy.
Resident Electoral Commissioner REC) in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella, said in a statement.
Tella clarified that on Friday, October 9, 2026, the state is anticipated to start collecting the freshly printed PVCs in advance of the general elections in 2027.
But he stressed that no one would be permitted to pick up the PVCs on someone else’s behalf.
According to him, the collection will take place in all 33 INEC local government area offices in the state.
The REC enjoined members of the public and stakeholders in the electoral system to cooperate with the commission.
Tella also revealed that a lot of uncollected PVCs are still in the custody of the commission.
He concluded by advising the owners to use the window period to collect them.
“INEC Oyo State, is to commence the distribution of newly printed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) across all the 33 INEC Local Government Area Offices in the State as from Friday, 9th October 2026 ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
“The collection of these PVCs would be strictly personal and not by proxy. The commission has made adequate arrangement to ensure that the exercise remained transparent, orderly and peaceful in collaboration with security agents across the State.
“The commission still has several uncollected old PVCs from the last held 2023 general election in the state,” he said.
