Tinubu is currently seeking a successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu

2025-03-27 10:16

Emerging political dynamics in Nigeria reveal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently seeking a successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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Yakubu's term is set to conclude in November 2025, having served two terms. Sources indicate that various political factions, both within and outside Aso Rock, are working to identify a successor who could potentially sway the results of the 2027 general elections. Close sources to the presidency suggest that a former governor from the South-South region, associated with the 1999 political class, is spearheading efforts to secure a candidate who would align closely with their political agenda.
Those being considered for the position reportedly have prior experience as National Commissioners or Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), although their records raise concerns about their past performance. The primary selection criterion appears to focus on their willingness to cooperate with political agendas rather than on maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. This initiative has sparked worries regarding the autonomy of Nigeria's electoral process, particularly in light of the controversies that marred the 2023 elections. Observers argue that compromising INEC's leadership could diminish public trust and further weaken the democratic fabric of the nation. Nigeria's 1999 Constitution prescribes a specific procedure for the appointment of an INEC chairman.
According to Section 154(1) and (2), the president is required to consult the Council of State prior to making an appointment, which must then be confirmed by the Senate. Moreover, the Third Schedule, Paragraph 14, stipulates that INEC officials should possess unquestionable integrity and not be affiliated with any political party. Despite these constitutional guidelines, previous administrations have faced allegations of appointing individuals with political ties, prompting concerns regarding the integrity of electoral processes. Recent reports have highlighted instances where individuals affiliated with political parties were appointed as INEC officials, a trend that extends beyond the current government. The debate over INEC appointments has a lengthy history. In 2015, former President Muhammadu Buhari attracted criticism for appointing Amina Bala Zakari, a relative, as the acting chairman of INEC, which incited public outcry and led to increased scrutiny. This ultimately resulted in the appointment of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the permanent chairman. Similarly, there have been accusations against previous administrations for leveraging INEC appointments to manipulate election outcomes.
With the 2027 election on the horizon, President Tinubu is faced with a pivotal choice: to prioritize the national interest by appointing a credible and independent INEC chairman or to yield to political pressure in selecting a candidate who might compromise the electoral process. The declining voter turnout in Nigeria reflects a growing disillusionment with the electoral system. Voter participation fell from 69.1% in the 2003 elections to just 26.7% in 2023. Contributing factors to this downward trend include voter apathy, logistical constraints, election-related violence, and a prevailing sentiment that individual votes carry little weight. To rebuild public trust, experts advocate for strengthening Nigeria's electoral laws, ensuring transparency in the selection of INEC officials, and enhancing the functionality of electoral technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) platform.
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