The last general elections and the subsequent surge in election petitions have raised serious doubts about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.

In the 2023 elections, there were a total of 1,280 political offices contested, including the presidency, Senate seats, House of Representatives seats, House of Assembly seats, and governorship positions. Surprisingly, 1,209 petitions are currently before the judiciary for resolution, amounting to a staggering 94.453% of the positions where votes were cast.

This high number of election disputes implies that the electorate has less influence over who becomes their leader, with a substantial shift of responsibility to the judiciary. Only 71 offices, or 5.547%, were determined by the citizens themselves.

Legal experts and stakeholders blame various factors for this situation, including politicians’ reluctance to accept electoral defeat, lawyers who capitalize on litigation, and INEC’s handling of the electoral process. Some suggest that a truly independent, efficient, and effective electoral system is needed to address these issues.

Overall, the prevalence of election disputes and their impact on the electoral process raises concerns about the credibility and integrity of elections in Nigeria.