Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads, and the people are calling for change. On June 17, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced plans to renovate the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He praised the move, saying it’s “another important step towards the protection of our democracy in this country.”
Tinubu even gave a shout-out to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for leading the project. “You are not just building an edifice; you are building trust in our nation,” the president said, emphasizing that the new building should stand for “quality, speed, integrity, and transparency.”
He wrapped up his speech with a reminder: “Democracy is not a destination but a journey,” urging Nigerians to work together to strengthen institutions and protect freedoms. But let’s be real—fancy buildings don’t fix broken systems. Nigerians want a democracy where their votes count, not just a shiny new INEC office.
The real issue isn’t about walls and windows; it’s about the electoral process that keeps letting people down. Just a few days earlier, on June 15, 2025, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele spoke about the need for serious electoral reforms. In a statement celebrating the Senate’s mid-term achievements, he promised changes to Nigeria’s electoral system, a review of the 1999 Constitution, and judicial reforms.
Bamidele said these changes would “ensure every vote continues to count, guarantee good governance, and make participation in the electoral process more interesting for decent and innocent citizens.” He believes that when people know their votes matter, they’ll be more excited to vote, making democracy stronger and more transparent.
The Senate is also looking at judicial reforms, like how judges are appointed and their welfare, to make sure justice is served fairly. So, what’s wrong with Nigeria’s elections? A lot. In past elections, millions of Nigerians showed up to vote for their chosen candidates, but the process failed them.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS), meant to make voting smoother, had major issues. Results from polling units to collation centers weren’t transmitted accurately, and when final results were posted on INEC’s server, they didn’t always match what people saw at the polling stations. This caused confusion and distrust.
Then there’s vote-buying, a huge problem that undermines democracy. During elections, some people were caught trying to buy votes, and while a few faced justice, the big players behind it often walked free. This isn’t how a fair election should work. Civilized societies don’t let vote-buying slide, and Nigeria shouldn’t either. The worst part? When citizens challenged election results in court, their cases were often thrown out. People felt cheated, like their voices didn’t matter.
This dissatisfaction shows why Nigeria needs electoral reforms now more than ever. Without change, the same problems will keep happening, and trust in democracy will keep fading. To fix this, Nigeria needs reforms that tackle the real issues. First, INEC must improve BIVAS and ensure results are transmitted accurately and transparently.
No more glitches or mismatches. Second, vote-buying must be stopped. Stronger laws and real punishment for those responsible—not just the small fry—will send a clear message. Finally, the courts need to handle election disputes fairly. If people believe their complaints will be heard, they’ll trust the system more.
President Tinubu is right—democracy is a journey. But a new INEC headquarters won’t get us there. Nigerians deserve an electoral system that’s free, fair, and transparent. Reforms will let citizens vote for the candidates they want without fear of rigging or failure. It’s time to stop focusing on buildings and start building a democracy that truly works for everyone.
