A new political development is unfolding in Nigeria as reports indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively searching for a replacement for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Yakubu’s tenure is set to end in November 2025 after completing two terms, and sources suggest that political forces within and outside Aso Rock are strategizing to install a successor who could influence the outcome of the 2027 general election.
According to sources close to the presidency, a former South-South governor and a member of the class of 1999 is leading the charge to ensure a compliant candidate takes over INEC’s leadership. These sources claim that the individuals being considered for the role have previously served as National Commissioners or Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) but have questionable records from their tenure. The key criterion for their selection appears to be their perceived willingness to cooperate with political interests rather than ensuring free and fair elections.
This move raises concerns about the independence of Nigeria’s electoral process, especially given the controversies that surrounded the 2023 elections. Many political observers believe that compromising INEC’s leadership could erode public trust and further weaken the country’s democracy.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution outlines clear procedures for appointing an INEC chairman. Section 154(1) and (2) mandates that the president must consult the Council of State before making an appointment, which is then subject to Senate confirmation. Additionally, the Third Schedule, Paragraph 14, specifies that INEC officials must be individuals of unquestionable integrity and must not belong to any political party.
Despite these constitutional provisions, past administrations have been accused of appointing individuals with political affiliations, raising concerns about electoral integrity. Recent reports highlight cases where card-carrying members of political parties were appointed as INEC officials, a practice that predates the current administration.
The controversy surrounding INEC appointments is not new. In 2015, former President Muhammadu Buhari faced criticism for appointing Amina Bala Zakari, a relative, as the acting chairman of INEC. This decision led to public outcry and intense scrutiny, forcing Buhari to eventually appoint Professor Mahmood Yakubu as a substantive replacement. Similarly, past administrations have been accused of using INEC appointments as a tool to manipulate election outcomes.
As the 2027 election approaches, President Tinubu faces a critical decision: whether to prioritize national interest by appointing an independent and credible INEC chairman or to succumb to political pressure and select a figure who may compromise electoral integrity.
The declining voter turnout in Nigeria is a reflection of diminishing trust in the electoral system. While 69.1% of eligible voters participated in the 2003 elections, this figure has steadily dropped, reaching just 26.7% in 2023. Many factors contribute to this decline, including voter apathy, logistical challenges, election-related violence, and the perception that votes do not count.
To restore public confidence, experts suggest that Nigeria must strengthen its electoral laws, ensure transparency in the selection of INEC officials, and guarantee the proper functioning of electoral technologies like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) platform.
