Plan to rig 2027 election already unfolding – Tambuwal

On his part, former governor of Sokoto State and current senator for Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, charged civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to rise to the challenge of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Tambuwal alleged that plans to rig the 2027 elections were already in motion and warned that unless there is a coalition like the one formed in 2015, stopping the plot may be impossible.
Speaking as a panellist during a session on “Rebuilding Confidence in Presidential System of Government,” Tambuwal lamented the civil society’s apparent passivity in holding the government accountable.
“In the past, many of us here, including our boss, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, were part of the coordination that helped improve and sustain democracy in Nigeria. But now, it seems that some of the same people involved in civil society efforts are now in charge. I don’t know whether it’s because of some kind of understanding between civil society and the current government, but the silence today is worrying,” he said.
Tambuwal called on civil society to replicate the role it played in 2013-2014, helping to fortify Nigeria’s democracy. He warned that unless this action is taken, the country’s democratic system was in peril.
He added that the foundation for sustaining democracy lies in the electoral processes and outcomes. Tambuwal criticised the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stating that the progress made under Professor Attahiru Jega’s tenure had been reversed.
“It is about the character of those leading these agencies. We must ensure the right people are in these positions, especially with 2027 approaching,” he said.