2027: Distrust, Vote Buying Threaten Turnout, Says Yiaga Africa
*New NVIS survey finds 84% of Nigerians intend to vote, yet only 34% are confident in INEC, 61% say fear of violence could Keep them at home Yinka Kolawole in
Yiaga Africa is a prominent Nigerian civic organisation known for election observation and advocacy, including its work tracking youth and women's political participation and deploying situation room monitoring during past general elections. Its National Voters Independence Survey (NVIS) is a recurring tool meant to gauge public sentiment ahead of major polls, offering a barometer of how Nigerians feel about the electoral process long before voting day.
The findings add to persistent concerns about voter apathy in Nigeria, where turnout has declined in recent election cycles amid complaints about INEC's credibility, logistical failures, insecurity around polling units, and the influence of cash inducements on voting behaviour. While the two reports agree on the survey's headline figures — high stated intention to vote alongside low institutional confidence and fear of violence — neither outlet's headlines detail the survey's full methodology, sample size, or what specific reforms Yiaga Africa is recommending to INEC and security agencies ahead of 2027.