Are Nigerians Being Prepared for Election Glitches? Aisha Yesufu Sounds Alarm

Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has raised alarm over what she described as an attempt to prepare Nigerians to normalize “system glitches” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post on her X account on Friday, Yesufu alleged that the increasing reports of technical disruptions across various systems in the country were not coincidental, but part of a pattern to make the public accept similar failures during the next polls.

“All of a sudden there are system glitches everywhere! People are being conditioned ahead of time to accept the glitches that will come during the election!” she wrote.

Yesufu, who has consistently criticized electoral malpractices and governance failures, made the remarks amid ongoing debates about the 2023 elections, which were marred by technical issues, particularly with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal, IReV.

Recent glitches have also affected other national systems, including the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC). Political observers say the failure of INEC’s technology in the last general election continues to erode public confidence.

Yesufu’s post has drawn reactions from social media users.

Melissa (@∅xmelissa19) commented: “Feels like a warning sign… are we being prepped to expect chaos at the polls?”

Alao Adeyemi (@alaoadeyemi66) added: “Nigerians should forget anything about the 2027 elections. Events from now till then will show clearly who will win, whether we vote or not.”

OZ Okegbe (@ozokegbe) also reacted: “Yeah, the ‘testing of mic’ has been completed. A nation where education fails to refine individuals… We’ve been pushed to the extent that there is no wall remaining!”

Yesufu’s warning comes as Nigerians continue to debate the integrity of electoral systems and the readiness of national institutions to conduct free and credible elections in the future.