A large number of Nigerians are preparing to participate in the 2027 general election despite growing concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, a survey by Yiaga Africa has found.
The organisation’s national voting intentions survey, conducted among 2,470 Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, showed that 84 per cent of respondents were likely to vote. However, only 41 per cent said they were certain about voting and had already made a choice on their preferred presidential candidate.
According to Arise News, the survey also showed that confidence in the electoral process remains weak, with only 34 per cent of respondents expressing confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections. About 44 per cent of eligible voters were yet to decide which candidate to support.
The findings indicated that voters were primarily concerned about issues including the economy and employment, security, corruption and governance. Yiaga Africa further found that the desire for a change in leadership was the strongest motivation among respondents, while social media emerged as the leading source influencing voters’ decisions.
Against this backdrop, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, said his party would accept the outcome of a properly conducted election but would resist any attempt to manipulate the process. Arise News reported that Mark made the position known during a visit to the ADC headquarters in Abuja by the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The Savannah Centre, according to the report, is engaging political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections and urged the ADC to ensure that its candidates and supporters adhere to electoral regulations and avoid violence.
Yiaga Africa’s findings further showed varying levels of voting intention across the country, with the North-Central recording the highest figure at 57 per cent, followed by the South-West with 54 per cent, North-East with 52 per cent and South-South with 33 per cent.
Safiya Bichi, Head of Knowledge Management and Learning at Yiaga Africa, said the survey indicated that Nigerians remained interested in participating in elections, although concerns about safety, confidence in the process and the influence of money could affect turnout.
