The African Democratic Congress has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to review its use of politically exposed academics as Returning and Collation Officers ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that partisan affiliations among university staff could weaken public confidence in the process. 

The party’s position, contained in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, followed reports that more than 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria had publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

According to the ADC, the reported endorsements raise serious questions about conflict of interest, given how often university lecturers and vice chancellors are called upon by INEC to collate results and declare winners during elections.

The party acknowledged that academics, like any other Nigerian, have a constitutional right to support a candidate of their choice, but argued that anyone who has openly taken a political side should not then be trusted to oversee the counting and declaration of results in the same election.

The practice of relying on academics for such roles dates back to the era of former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega, when it was introduced to draw on the perceived neutrality of university scholars in curbing electoral fraud, though the approach has faced growing criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups in recent election cycles.

The ADC called on INEC to draw up and publish clear criteria that would disqualify academics and other prospective election officials who have publicly endorsed candidates, taken part in partisan political activities or shown obvious political leanings. The party also asked the commission to release the names of proposed Returning and Collation Officers well ahead of the elections, arguing that early publication would give political parties and members of the public enough time to scrutinise the list and flag any genuine conflict of interest concerns before voting takes place.

In the statement, the party said the credibility of an election is not something that begins on the day ballots are cast, but rests on the neutrality of those entrusted to administer, collate and declare its outcome from the outset.