Ensuring the neutrality of state institutions requires major improvement and implementation of various recommendations.
The media provided extensive coverage of the three leading campaigns, however in some areas disinformation interfered with voters’ right to make an informed choice on election day.
Finally, there were also widespread allegations of vote trading at many locations across the country.
Prior to the election period, the conduct of the contesting parties and candidates, as well as gaps in the law concerning elections, caused an outbreak of court cases.
These rulings were seen by some EU EOM interlocutors as too technical and bureaucratic, resulting in some primary re-runs being delayed, and the substitution of certain perceived legitimate candidates.
This consequently had a significant negative effect on public trust in the electoral process and caused divisions within political parties. It also created a volatile campaign atmosphere throughout Nigeria.
During the run-up to elections, both PDP and APC activists held multiple rallies across Nigeria but due to prolonged fuel scarcity, financial issues and underhand tactics used by Governors from opposite sides of each party it was difficult for them to compete on an even playing field.
Accusations of vote-buying and various acts of violence directed towards political actors frequently occurred during this period which only served to further tarnish relations between competing partisans.
The media provided considerable coverage on electoral developments though it was largely negative due to reports of conspiracy theories originating online being discussed in popular talk shows instead of analytical reporting on party policies that would have helped voters become better informed when making their choices at the ballot box.
Despite this lack of depth in news coverage, politicians made effective use of social media networks by funnelling polarising rhetoric through these platforms with limited defensive measures from those entities against false information concocted by political figures or anyone else for that matter.
Various civil society organisations reported on different aspects of the pre-election environment and verified information spoken about by gubernatorial contestants publicly which assisted INEC’s efforts to help ensure voter awareness was raised before election day.
Finally, over 144 thousand citizen observers watched proceedings at polling stations on elections day itself - all this demonstrating how they worked hard to maintain an honest picture concerning integrity-related matters within Nigerian electoral processes Despite their efforts during conducting legitimate campaigns prior to election day difficulties posed by unequal campaigning conditions; violence occurring closer towards elections day; and false information online unavoidably put a disservice on voter education via both online/offline sources however was still deemed success overall.