An overwhelming 84 per cent of Nigerians intend to vote in the upcoming 2027 general elections, despite deep-seated fears over security, declining trust in electoral institutions, and the persistent threat of vote buying, according to a new report by civic advocacy group Yiaga Africa.
Unveiling its third National Voting Intentions Survey on Wednesday, Yiaga Africa urged political parties and civic actors to aggressively mobilize citizens to translate this high voting intention into actual ballot box turnout.
The study, presented by Yiaga Africa Board Chairman Dr. Hussein Abdul, surveyed 2,470 respondents across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to evaluate citizens’ readiness, motivations, and expectations ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Low turnout in Nigeria is a conversion problem, not an apathy problem, and the responsibility for fixing it lies with the institutions and actors who control security, credibility, and logistics,” Safiya Bichi, Head of Knowledge Management and Learning said. “What stands between that willingness and the ballot box is fear, distrust, and money.”
While voter willingness remains high, the survey exposed sharp vulnerabilities that could suppress actual turnout:
Security Concerns: 61 per cent of respondents expressed fear that election-related violence might prevent them from voting, with the figure spiking to 78 per cent in the North-East geopolitical zone. Overall, 83 per cent called for significantly improved security arrangements.
Low Institutional Confidence: Trust in key public institutions remains subdued, with only 34 per cent expressing confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections. Furthermore, 63 per cent voiced little or no confidence in the judiciary’s capacity to resolve electoral disputes fairly.
Economic Discontent: Public disapproval of current administration performance remains notable, with 54 per cent disapproving of the President’s performance and 71 per cent rating the national economy poorly. Driven by economic hardship, 49 per cent of respondents cited a desire for leadership change as their primary motivation to vote.
Abdul emphasised that the findings should be taken not as final verdicts, but as urgent “wake-up calls” for INEC, security agencies, political parties, and civil society organizations to address citizen grievances ahead of 2027.
During a panel discussion titled “Intentions, Commitments, and Pathways to Increasing Turnout,” civil society leaders called for targeted measures to protect voters and safeguard election integrity.
Ene Obi, Executive Director of the Ene Obi Centre for Development, urged citizens to vote and defend their votes while ensuring vulnerable populations are not left behind.
“We must take cognizance of those in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and areas labeled as ungovernable,” Obi noted, stressing that civil society remains focused on a fair and transparent process rather than specific political outcomes.
Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), urged media outlets to focus on the positive signal of the 84 per cent voter intent while advocating for broader political reform. He noted that the values, attitudes, and conducts of politicians play a direct role in damaging election integrity and driving voter hesitation.
Responding on behalf of the electoral umpire, Mrs. Victoria Efa-Mesi, INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, affirmed that the commission is actively preparing for the 2027 general elections and urged Nigerians to uphold civic responsibility at all times. (NAN)
