Opacity in Elections Undermining Nigeria’s Democracy — Communications Professor Warns

 

A Professor of Communications at Baze University, Abuja, Abiodun Adeniyi, has identified lack of transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process as a major obstacle to the country’s democratic growth, noting that persistent disputes over election outcomes stem largely from credibility gaps.

Adeniyi spoke on Friday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he examined recurring controversies surrounding elections in the country.

According to him, while Nigeria has sustained democratic rule for over two decades, the integrity of its elections remains a weak link, with most polls ending in disputes due to perceived opacity in the process.

He said, “We often celebrate the longevity of our democracy and the fact that it has endured for about 26 years, but the truth is that elections and electioneering remain the bane of our democratic journey.

“Virtually every election is contested and disputed, largely because there is insufficient transparency. We still struggle to consistently deliver elections that are free, fair, credible and open.”

The communications scholar stressed that strengthening democratic institutions requires deliberate efforts to improve electoral credibility through openness and accountability.

He advocated increased deployment of technology in the electoral system, noting that digital tools can help reduce manipulation and boost public confidence.

“To consolidate democracy and imbue it with integrity, stakeholders must ensure that the process is transparent and credible. One effective way of achieving this is by ramping up the use of technology,” he said.

Adeniyi added that public anxiety often rises whenever official communications appear to contradict the goal of transparent elections, saying unclear policy signals from authorities tend to fuel confusion and suspicion among citizens.

He noted that recent public reactions to statements from the Senate reflected how sensitive Nigerians have become to issues touching on electoral transparency, adding that clearer communication from institutions is essential to avoid misinterpretation and distrust.