Legal Experts and Editors Warn of Nigeria's Electoral Collapse

Legal experts and media leaders warned that the judicialization of the electoral process and failing institutions threaten the stability of Nigeria's democracy during the 22nd Annual All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, argued that the judiciary is increasingly usurping the role of voters. He criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission for a lack of practical independence and highlighted how strict evidentiary rules regarding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal force courts to decide winners rather than resolve legal disputes. Osigwe warned that these systemic failures contribute to rising voter apathy.

Political economist Patrick Utomi cautioned that the normalization of abnormal electoral practices has increased the cost of national engagement and could lead to societal collapse. He warned that citizens who feel they lack legitimate means to influence society may eventually turn to destructive actions.

Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, urged journalists to protect the credibility of the ballot to prevent courts from determining political representation. He called for strict adherence to accuracy and verification to combat misinformation and deepfakes in a polarized environment. Anaba also announced that this event marks his final annual conference as president.