The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has raised concern over corruption within Nigeria’s electoral system, warning that it is weakening citizens’ trust in democratic processes.

Akume made the remarks during a public engagement on governance and democratic reforms, where he emphasized the need for stronger institutional integrity and accountability in elections.

He noted that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy, but expressed concern that persistent allegations of malpractice, vote manipulation, and financial inducement continue to damage public confidence in the system.

According to him, restoring trust in elections requires collective effort from electoral bodies, political parties, security agencies, and citizens. He stressed the importance of transparency and strict adherence to electoral laws.

The SGF called for sustained reforms to strengthen the electoral process, including improved voter education, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, and stricter enforcement of electoral offences.

He also urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility in defending democracy by rejecting practices that compromise the integrity of elections.

Akume reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting reforms aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in future electoral cycles.

As discussions on electoral reforms continue, stakeholders say addressing corruption in the system remains key to strengthening democracy and public trust in governance.