ICPC chair to lead electoral reform talks on vote-buying ahead of 2027 polls

A high-level policy dialogue on electoral integrity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Abuja, with the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu (SAN), set to deliver a keynote address focused on vote-buying and other electoral offences. The event, convened by Law Corridor, aims to generate concrete policy recommendations to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The dialogue will be held in Abuja and is expected to bring together key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside senior legal practitioners, civil society leaders, and election observers. Among the prominent figures scheduled to participate is Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), whose presence, alongside Aliyu’s, is seen as central to driving substantive discussions on electoral reforms.

According to a statement issued by the organisers on Monday, the inclusion of Aliyu who holds a doctorate in Constitutional Law and is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria will deepen the quality of deliberations, particularly on the legal and institutional frameworks needed to curb electoral malpractice. The policy dialogue is positioned as a platform for critical engagement on persistent challenges such as vote-buying, voter suppression, and enforcement gaps in electoral laws.

The event will also feature a broad mix of stakeholders, including leaders of political parties, representatives of civil society organisations, and both local and international election observers. This diverse participation is intended to ensure that discussions reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives within Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem.

Legal and policy experts expected at the forum include Muyiwa Atoyebi (SAN), Managing Partner of Omaplex Law Firm; Seun Okinbaloye, a prominent broadcaster; and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria such as Bala Maiyaki, Ahmed Raji, Patrick Ikwueto, and Alhassan Umar. Other contributors include Dantele Yusuf and Bukola Idowu, among others.

Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Managing Partner of Law Corridor, Henry Kelechukwu Eni-Otu, said the convergence of top electoral and anti-corruption officials with seasoned professionals would enrich conversations critical to Nigeria’s democratic future. He emphasized that with the 2027 elections approaching, such engagements are necessary to identify practical solutions that will enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral system.

Eni-Otu added that the dialogue is expected to produce actionable outcomes. “We believe the engagements among stakeholders within the electoral process will chart a way forward to further guarantee the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.

Organisers confirmed that a comprehensive policy brief outlining key recommendations and a reform roadmap will be developed at the end of the session. The document will be submitted to relevant government ministries and agencies for consideration and possible implementation.

The upcoming dialogue builds on Law Corridor’s previous policy engagements. In 2025, a similar event chaired by Ola Olukoyede, head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, focused on regulatory and transparency issues within Nigeria’s real estate sector.

With increasing concerns over electoral malpractice, Wednesday’s forum is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policy direction and reinforcing institutional commitments ahead of the next general elections.