LIST OF REASONS

Introduction On January 17, 2026, Uganda's Electoral Commission declared Yoweri Museveni , aged 81, the winner of the presidential election with 71.65% of the vote , securing his seventh term since seizing power in 1986. This extends his rule into a fifth decade, making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. Despite facing opposition from pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine (who garnered around 24.7% and rejected the results as "fake"), Museveni's victory was widely anticipated amid a tense campaign involving internet blackouts, opposition crackdowns, and fraud allegations. Here are the key reasons behind his landslide win. 1. Control Over State Institutions and Security Apparatus Museveni's dominance stems from his total control over Uganda 's state machinery. As a former rebel leader who ended post-independence chaos, he has built an unchallenged grip on the military, police, and security forces. This apparatus ensures loyalty and suppresses d...

Introduction The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) , a prominent Nigerian civil society organization, frequently takes legal action against state governors and high officials like the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike , to demand transparency in public spending. While SERAP has not filed a direct lawsuit specifically titled around "failure to account for security votes spending" in recent cases, it has issued strong Freedom of Information (FoI) requests and urged probes into the opaque use of security votes  — discretionary funds allocated for state security purposes. These actions stem from broader accountability drives, including calls for investigations into alleged misuse amid rising insecurity.  Security votes, often amounting to billions annually (e.g., over N375 billion in 2021 across states), are shrouded in secrecy, with no mandatory public disclosure. SERAP's interventions highlight systemic issues. Here are the ...

Introduction Free and fair elections form the bedrock of any genuine democracy, ensuring that the will of the people prevails without manipulation, intimidation, or fraud. In Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and a key democratic player, the push for credible polls — governed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 — stems from the need to sustain civilian rule since 1999. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oversees these processes, but historical challenges like vote-buying, violence, and irregularities highlight why free and fair elections are non-negotiable. Here are the key reasons Nigeria must prioritize them. Six (6) Reasons for Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria as a Priority 1. Ensuring Legitimacy and Public Trust in Government A free and fair election confers legitimacy on elected leaders, making governance acceptable to citizens. When votes count and voices are heard, trust builds between the government and the people. Th...