NIGPOST: Obasanjo’s Criticism of INEC Sparks Renewed Debate on Electoral Reform
In a powerful video address delivered at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reignited calls for comprehensive electoral reform. Speaking passionately about the state of Nigeria’s electoral system, Obasanjo described the need for urgent changes to restore credibility, transparency, and trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obasanjo’s Call for Change
Obasanjo criticized the leadership of INEC, particularly its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and advocated for their dismissal.
He emphasized the importance of appointing individuals of unquestionable integrity to lead the electoral body at all levels—federal, state, and local.
According to Obasanjo, short tenures for electoral officials could prevent undue political interference and corruption.
“The INEC chairperson must not only be absolutely above board, but they must also be transparently independent and incorruptible,” he stated.
Obasanjo also accused INEC of failing to implement key technological systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections.
He alleged that this deliberate failure led to widespread voting irregularities, likening it to “inviting the fox into the henhouse.”
The Presidency’s Response
The Presidency, however, dismissed Obasanjo’s comments, labeling them hypocritical. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, accused Obasanjo of presiding over what he described as “the most fraudulent election in Nigeria since 1960.”
Onanuga questioned Obasanjo’s moral authority to critique the current electoral body, pointing to controversies during his administration.
The Controversy Surrounding INEC
Obasanjo’s remarks have brought back heated discussions surrounding the 2023 general elections and recent off-cycle elections in states like Kogi and Edo.
Many Nigerians, including opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), have criticized INEC’s failure to adhere to the 2022 Electoral Act.
These issues formed part of the legal battles challenging President Tinubu’s election victory, although both Atiku and Obi lost their cases at the Presidential Election Petition Court and the Supreme Court.
Critics have argued that INEC’s failure to deploy technological tools undermined the credibility of the elections and eroded public trust.
Justice John Okoro, in his lead judgment at the Supreme Court, admitted that the non-functioning of the IReV portal could significantly impact public confidence in future elections.
Calls for Comprehensive Electoral Reform
Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has echoed the need for radical electoral reform.
Citing alleged manipulations in the Edo State governorship election, Amadi argued that disbanding and restructuring INEC is critical to achieving credible elections.
Public Affairs Analyst Nduka Odo also weighed in, criticizing INEC for its lack of accountability and transparency.
He urged the commission to prioritize the electronic transmission of results to prevent manipulation and restore integrity to the electoral process.
The Road Ahead
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the debate over electoral reform is gaining momentum. Obasanjo’s comments have underscored the urgency of addressing systemic issues within INEC to ensure that elections reflect the true will of the people.
For Nigeria to progress democratically, stakeholders agree that electoral reforms must go beyond rhetoric.
The challenge lies in implementing these changes to create a fair and transparent system that inspires confidence among voters and candidates alike.
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