ABUJA — Pro-democracy civil society organization, Adopt-a-Goal for Development Initiative, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the 2027 general election is Nigeria’s most transparent and credible in history, describing it as the ultimate tribute to the late rights advocate, Ariyo Dare Atoye.
Marking the fourth anniversary of Atoye’s death, the group stated that honoring the memory of the frontline reformer requires more than annual memorial speeches—it demands a total commitment to an electoral process that Nigerians can genuinely trust.
Atoye, a prominent voice for electoral transparency, democratic accountability, and civic participation, passed away on October 27, 2022.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Executive Director, Kunle Afolabi, Adopt-a-Goal highlighted that Atoye dedicated his public life to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
”The greatest monument Nigeria can build in his honour is not made of concrete or marble; it is an electoral system Nigerians can trust,” the statement read.
Call for Technological Integrity and Reform
The group emphasized that the upcoming 2027 general election presents a historic opportunity to translate Atoye’s lifelong advocacy into reality.
Adopt-a-Goal urged INEC to address past operational and technological failures, warning that public judgment of the commission will rest on its transparency and impartiality rather than logistical excuses.
Specifically, the organization called on the electoral umpire to:
Safeguard the integrity of the national voters’ register.
Ensure seamless, transparent deployment of electoral technology, particularly in result transmission and collation.
Conduct rigorous, professional training for electoral personnel.
Maintain strict institutional neutrality and resolve technical challenges well ahead of election day.
”The 2027 election should become the election in which Nigerians no longer have to debate whether their votes counted or whether technology failed when it mattered most,” the group asserted.
Plea to Political Actors and Stakeholders
Directing its focus to political parties and candidates, the advocacy group warned against election-related violence, voter intimidation, and vote-buying, reminding politicians that citizen consent must remain the sole basis for political power.
”No political ambition is worth the blood of a Nigerian. Ariyo’s advocacy was fundamentally about ensuring that political power is obtained through the consent of citizens, not through violence, manipulation, or subversion of institutions,” Afolabi stated.
Adopt-a-Goal further called on the media, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and religious institutions to stay vigilant throughout the electoral chain—from polling unit accreditation and voting to counting and the final declaration of results.
The organization noted that building a reliable process is the only way Nigeria can transition away from recurring post-election litigation, creating an environment where defeated candidates can accept outcomes in good faith.
”Ariyo Dare Atoye does not need another promise from Nigeria; his memory deserves fulfilment. If Nigeria wants to honour him, let us give Nigerians an election they can believe in,” the statement concluded.