Featured

2027 Elections: Jobs, security top young Nigerians’ demands

Published

1 month ago

August 5, 2026

Osun 2026: Vote-Buying, Security Concerns Raise Fresh Questions Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections OSOGBO — The 2026 Osun State governorship election has ended, but concerns over vote-buying, electoral technology, security and public trust could offer important lessons as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The August 15 election was largely peaceful across the state, with election observers commending voters and electoral officials for the overall conduct of the poll. However, reports of voter inducement, technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and isolated incidents of violence highlighted persistent weaknesses in Nigeria's electoral process. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), in its preliminary assessment, reported BVAS delays and biometric verification problems in several local government areas, while observers also recorded allegations of vote-buying and isolated security incidents. Vote-buying remains a major concern One of the strongest warnings from Osun was the continued presence of vote-buying and voter inducement. Yiaga Africa said the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were consistent with its independent statistical projections, but cautioned that this did not remove concerns about the integrity of voters' choices amid reports of vote-buying and inducement. The concern is particularly significant ahead of 2027, when political competition will take place nationwide and involve presidential, National Assembly and state-level contests. The International Republican Institute (IRI), following a pre-election assessment mission conducted in August, identified monetised political competition, election-related violence, insecurity and declining public confidence in INEC among the structural challenges facing the 2027 elections. IRI recommended stronger investigation and prosecution of vote-buying and voter inducement, urging INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and security agencies to act on credible allegations. Technology improves transparency — but has limits The Osun election also demonstrated how electoral technology can improve transparency. INEC's electronic transmission of polling-unit results through the IReV platform provided observers and members of the public with a mechanism to monitor uploaded results. Yiaga Africa subsequently said the official results were consistent with its independent statistical estimates, describing the outcome as evidence that the announced results reflected the ballots counted at polling units. However, technical problems with BVAS were reported during voting. CDD said difficulties involving biometric verification and slow processing occurred in several LGAs, including Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North and Ede South. These problems underline the need for INEC to ensure that electoral technology is not only available but also reliable, properly tested and supported by effective backup systems. Security remains another test for 2027 Although voting was generally peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and disruption were reported during the Osun poll. CDD called for security agencies to maintain political neutrality, investigate reported incidents and protect voters regardless of their political affiliation. IRI has similarly warned that insecurity and election-related violence could undermine meaningful political participation in 2027. Its assessment noted that more than 81 election-related violent incidents had been recorded in Osun in the year preceding the governorship election, with violence increasing as Election Day approached. The institute urged security agencies to identify high-risk areas early and develop location-specific plans to prevent intimidation, disruption and attacks on electoral participants. Osun offers lessons ahead of 2027 Despite the challenges, observers say the Osun election also provides evidence that improvements in election administration can produce positive results. Yiaga Africa's assessment found that INEC and security agencies largely passed the test of conducting the election, while its independent verification indicated that the official results accurately reflected the ballots counted at polling units. The challenge ahead is to build on those gains while addressing the weaknesses exposed during the election. For INEC, that means improving BVAS reliability, strengthening result-transmission and collation procedures and maintaining clear communication with voters and political parties. For security agencies, it means preventing electoral violence and ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are not selective. Political parties also face pressure to take greater responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, agents and supporters, particularly over voter inducement and intimidation. A bigger test awaits in 2027 The central lesson from Osun may be that a technically transparent election is not automatically the same as a completely free election. Electronic transmission can make results easier to monitor, but technology cannot by itself prevent voters from being offered money, threatened or pressured before they cast their ballots. IRI's latest assessment similarly stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on technical administration but also on security, consistent application of electoral rules, timely communication and public confidence in INEC. With Nigeria's 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the Osun experience provides both a warning and an opportunity: the country has made progress in electoral transparency, but vote-buying, insecurity and declining trust must be confronted before they are magnified across a nationwide election.

With less than a year to the 2027 general elections, political parties are intensifying coalition talks, zoning debates and strategic alliances. However, conversations with young voters across Nigeria suggest that the issues dominating political circles are not necessarily the ones that will determine how they vote.

Rather than focusing on party defections, endorsements or power-sharing arrangements, many young Nigerians say their attention is fixed on the country’s economic realities. They want candidates to present practical solutions to rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

Young people make up a significant share of Nigeria’s voting population, and many say the next election will be decided less by party loyalty than by which candidates can convince them they have credible plans to improve everyday life.

Across major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, many young professionals, graduates and entrepreneurs say the rising cost of food, rent and transportation has become their biggest concern.

Several respondents told National Daily that a large portion of their monthly income now goes toward basic necessities, leaving little room for savings or investment.

“Politics is important, but surviving each month is even more important,” said 29-year-old software developer David Eze in Abuja. “I want to hear how candidates intend to reduce inflation, create jobs and make life affordable—not who is forming alliances with whom.”

For many young Nigerians, employment remains another decisive issue ahead of the elections. Despite growing interest in technology, digital services and entrepreneurship, access to decent-paying jobs and affordable business financing remains limited.

Small business owners also complain about high borrowing costs, unstable electricity supply and multiple taxes, saying these challenges continue to discourage expansion and job creation.

Economic analysts argue that policies encouraging investment in manufacturing, agriculture, technology and renewable energy could help create sustainable employment opportunities while improving economic growth.

Education is also expected to feature prominently in voter expectations. Many graduates say there is a widening gap between the skills acquired in tertiary institutions and those demanded by employers, leaving thousands of young people either unemployed or underemployed.

Security remains another issue likely to influence voting decisions. Across several parts of the country, insecurity continues to affect farming, transportation and commercial activities, making it difficult for businesses to operate and discouraging investment.

Civil society advocate Blessing Oyefeso said young Nigerians are increasingly linking security with economic development.

“No matter how impressive a politician’s campaign speech may be, people want to know whether they can travel safely on highways, run businesses without intimidation and earn a decent living,” she said. “The conversation has moved beyond politics. Nigerians want practical solutions.”

Political observers believe the 2027 election could become one of the most issue-driven contests in recent years if economic hardship remains a dominant national concern.

While political parties continue negotiations over candidates and alliances, analysts say voters, particularly young people are paying closer attention to policies than personalities.

As voter registration and civic engagement campaigns gather momentum, many young Nigerians insist that whoever hopes to earn their support must demonstrate a clear commitment to tackling inflation, expanding employment opportunities, improving security and restoring confidence in the economy.

For many first-time and returning voters, the message ahead of 2027 is becoming increasingly clear: promises alone may no longer be enough. The election, they say, will be decided by which candidates can offer realistic solutions to the challenges affecting everyday Nigerians.