RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
Former Lagos governorship candidate Babatunde Gbadamosi has questioned the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission to tackle vote buying in the 2027 general elections, following comments by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan on plans to strengthen intelligence operations against the practice.
Gbadamosi made his remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday, responding to Amupitan’s comments on measures being considered ahead of the elections.
Amupitan had said vote buying increasingly occurs away from polling units and is often planned before election day, making intelligence gathering important in identifying those involved.
He also said INEC was considering a joint task force involving relevant government and security agencies, noting that the commission itself does not possess powers of arrest and investigation.
Reacting, Gbadamosi argued that the INEC chairman had not demonstrated the capacity or resolve required to effectively tackle vote buying.
He further said Nigerians would protect their votes during the 2027 elections and resist attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
“Nigerians will defend their votes and deal with anyone trying to rig elections and anyone providing support or comfort to election riggers, regardless of office, uniform or position,” Gbadamosi wrote.
His comments represent his assessment of INEC’s preparedness and do not establish that the commission lacks the capacity to implement the measures announced by Amupitan.
INEC has maintained that it intends to work with security and law-enforcement agencies to address vote buying and other electoral offences ahead of the 2027 polls.
