Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno, has raised concerns about Nigeria’s election process, stating that it is deliberately made complicated to allow for manipulation. He shared his views during an interaction with journalists in Kano after a Senate retreat focused on constitutional review.

Ndume questioned the logic behind creating new bodies for conducting elections every four years when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could take full responsibility. He believes INEC is underutilized and could manage all election-related activities if the system were streamlined.

The Senator criticized the complexity of the electoral process, suggesting that it opens the door for manipulation. “Why can’t we pass laws that make sure every vote counts? Why not allow people to vote using their phones? INEC should be able to use technology to monitor elections in real-time and ensure transparency. If Google can track your location instantly, why can’t we do the same for our elections?” Ndume asked.

He stressed that the real issue lies in the lack of sincerity and honesty among Nigeria’s political leaders. According to him, the fear of God is absent, which leads to a corrupt system.

Ndume also voiced his support for local government autonomy but expressed strong opposition to the idea of creating a National Local Government Electoral Commission. He believes INEC should handle elections at all levels to avoid unnecessary complications.