Adetokunbo Olufela Durotoye has launched a strong critique of Nigeria’s electoral system, accusing state institutions of deliberately undermining democracy through voter suppression and systemic manipulation.
In an interview on The Exchange Podcast, hosted by Olufemi Soneye, Durotoye described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the most frustrating collaborator with the political establishment.
He alleged that the electoral body routinely uses administrative processes, particularly the Permanent Voter’s Card, to disenfranchise eligible voters and suppress public participation.
Durotoye argued that there is no technical justification for insisting on physical voter cards when biometric data, including facial recognition and fingerprints, already exist within INEC’s database.
According to him, the continued reliance on card-based voting is a deliberate strategy designed to limit turnout rather than protect electoral integrity.
He further criticised INEC’s voter registration process, describing it as inefficient and intentionally restrictive, especially for young Nigerians eager to participate in elections.
Durotoye said these barriers disproportionately affect non-establishment voters, whom he identified as the real threat to entrenched political interests.
He expressed concern that INEC officials who compromise elections are rarely held personally accountable, creating what he called a “corporate shield” that protects wrongdoing.
The leadership coach warned that without individual prosecutions and jail terms for compromised officials, electoral malpractice would continue unchecked.
He also addressed the growing perception of Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state, noting that mass defections by political elites have made political choices clearer but governance poorer.
According to Durotoye, the unification of the political establishment has stripped voters of meaningful alternatives while reinforcing a culture of impunity.
He maintained that despite these obstacles, recent elections have demystified the political elite and shown that establishment power is not invincible.
Durotoye predicted that a growing citizens’ movement, driven by previously non-voting Nigerians, would eventually overwhelm even the most compromised systems.
He concluded that while government institutions may resist change, sustained civic engagement and mass participation would make electoral manipulation increasingly difficult to sustain.
