Abuja, Nigeria – February 11, 2026 — Prominent human rights activist, former presidential candidate, and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has asserted that approximately 90 per cent of current Nigerian lawmakers and other elected officials would fail to secure re-election if general and legislative elections in the country were conducted with full transparency, credibility, and integrity.
Sowore made the bold declaration during a live media appearance and subsequent posts on social media platforms on Wednesday, where he criticised what he described as systemic electoral fraud, vote-buying, intimidation, and institutional complicity that he believes have kept many incumbent politicians in power despite widespread public dissatisfaction.
According to Sowore, the high retention rate of lawmakers in recent election cycles—particularly in the National Assembly—is not a reflection of genuine popularity or performance, but rather the result of manipulated processes that include ballot stuffing, result falsification, suppression of opposition agents, and financial inducements at polling units.
“If elections in Nigeria were truly transparent—meaning BVAS works perfectly, results are transmitted in real time without interference, collation is open and verifiable, security agencies remain neutral, and vote-buying is effectively eliminated—90 per cent of the people currently sitting in the National Assembly and many other elected positions would not return,” Sowore stated.
He further argued that the current electoral environment rewards those with access to money and state power rather than those with ideas, track records, or community support. Sowore pointed to the low legislative output, frequent absenteeism, budget padding allegations, and perceived disconnect between lawmakers and their constituents as evidence that most incumbents rely on flawed elections to retain their seats.
The activist-turned-politician, who contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections under the African Action Congress (AAC), has long been a vocal critic of Nigeria’s electoral system. He has repeatedly called for the complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the strengthening of electronic result transmission, and the prosecution of electoral offenders.
Sowore’s 90 per cent claim has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters and critics of the current political class have echoed his sentiment, citing public opinion polls that consistently show low approval ratings for the National Assembly. A 2025 survey by a leading civil society organisation found that less than 25 per cent of Nigerians believed their representatives deserved re-election based on performance.
However, defenders of the electoral process and some incumbent lawmakers dismissed Sowore’s assertion as exaggerated and politically motivated. They argue that while challenges exist, improvements such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC’s result-viewing portal have enhanced transparency in recent elections. Some also point to the fact that many lawmakers face internal party primaries, which—though often controversial—still reflect a degree of voter and delegate preference.
The National Assembly has yet to issue an official response to Sowore’s statement. However, individual lawmakers and political party spokespersons have in the past described similar criticisms as unfair generalisations that overlook the diversity of constituencies, campaign efforts, and development projects delivered by legislators.
Sowore’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about electoral reform in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. Civil society groups, legal experts, and international observers continue to push for amendments to the Electoral Act, better funding and independence for INEC, stronger prosecution of electoral offences, and the full implementation of technology-driven safeguards.
Whether Sowore’s 90 per cent prediction would hold in a hypothetical fully transparent election remains speculative. What is clear, however, is that public trust in the electoral process remains fragile, and claims like Sowore’s resonate with a large segment of Nigerians who feel disconnected from the political class.
As the conversation around electoral integrity intensifies, Sowore’s statement serves as a stark challenge to both the political establishment and the electoral umpire to demonstrate that the will of the people can prevail without manipulation or undue influence.
