ABUJA – In a characteristically blunt assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has claimed that a staggering 90% of current National Assembly members would be swept out of office if the nation ever conducted a truly transparent election.
Speaking on the persistent flaws within Nigeria’s democratic process, the former presidential candidate argued that the current crop of legislators are “occupiers” rather than representatives. According to Daily Post, Sowore maintains that the primary reason the National Assembly remains allergic to genuine electoral reform is the sheer instinct for self-preservation.
The Fear of the Ballot
Sowore’s critique centers on the idea that the majority of lawmakers owe their seats to a “flawed machinery” rather than the popular will of the people. He contends that if INEC were to deploy a system that eliminated human interference at collation centers, the “Red and Green Chambers” would look radically different.
“If you bring a transparent, electronic, and verifiable voting system to Nigeria today, 90% of those sitting in those chambers will find their way home,” Sowore declared. He suggested that most politicians are aware of their own unpopularity, which is why they invest so heavily in “electoral alchemy” instead of constituent service.
“Legislative Looting” vs. Public Poverty
The activist, who has long been a thorn in the side of the Nigerian establishment, didn’t stop at electoral integrity. He tied the lack of transparency directly to the extravagant lifestyle of the lawmakers, contrasting their luxury SUVs and massive renovation budgets with the “crushing hunger” of the average Nigerian.
- A “Subsidiary” Legislature:Â Sowore argued that a lawmaker who didn’t win fairly cannot be independent. Instead, they become a “rubber stamp” for whichever executive power helped them into office.
- The Reform Bottleneck: He slammed the ongoing delays in perfecting the Electoral Act, suggesting that the very people tasked with fixing the law are the ones who benefit from its loopholes.
A Growing Demand for Change
While the leadership of the National Assembly often points to the 2023 polls as a sign of progress, Sowore’s remarks echo a growing sentiment among civil society groups who feel the 2022 Electoral Act was “sabotaged” during implementation.
Sowore’s “90% claim” has since ignited a firestorm of debate across social media. While critics label him a “perpetual cynic,” his supporters see his words as a necessary wake-up call for a nation where the gap between the rulers and the ruled continues to widen.
As the conversation shifts toward the 2027 general elections, the pressure on the legislature to prove Sowore wrong by passing airtight electoral reforms is higher than ever.
