By Francis Ugwu Last week, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on the urgent need for reform and strengthening of the nation’s elect...
By Francis Ugwu
Last week, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on the
urgent need for reform and strengthening of the nation’s electoral process.
Obasanjo specifically called for the dismissal of the
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood
Yakubu, and officials of the commission at all levels for electoral integrity.
The erstwhile President spoke at the weekend via a recorded
video address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, New
Haven, Connecticut, United States, saying the electoral system reform is now
among the top targets for change in Nigeria.
Obasanjo stressed that Nigerians must ensure that the INEC
chairman and his staff were thoroughly vetted, adding that the vetting exercise
should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.
“As a matter of urgency, we must make sure the INEC
chairperson and his or her staff are thoroughly vetted. The vetting exercise
should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.
“Nigeria must ensure the appointment of new credible INEC
leadership at the federal, state, local government and municipal – city, town,
and village levels – with short tenures – to prevent undesirable political
influence and corruption, and re-establish trust in the electoral systems by
its citizens.
“The INEC chairperson must not only be absolutely above
board, he must also be transparently independent and incorruptible,” he said.
Obasanjo pointed out that INEC failed to implement the
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal
during the 2023.
“These technologies were touted by the INEC chairman
himself. In the end, these technologies did not fail.
“INEC wilfully failed to use or implement them which
resulted in widespread voting irregularities. It was a case of inviting the fox
into the hen house,” Obasanjo stated.
However, the Presidency took issue with Obasanjo’s critique
of the INEC.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on
Information and Strategy in a statement on Monday accused him of hypocrisy
given his administration’s alleged role in organising what it described as the
“most fraudulent election held in Nigeria since 1960.”
“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the
worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent
National Electoral Commission,” Onanuga wrote
DAILY POST reports that the call is a renewal of the
controversies that trailed the outcome of the 2023 general elections, including
the recently held off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Edo states.
DAILY POST also recalls that the alleged non-compliance with
the 2022 electoral law by INEC was one of the grounds on which the presidential
candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of
the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, challenged the declaration of President Bola
Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
Although Atiku and Obi lost their petitions at the
Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Supreme Court, they had
argued that INEC did not follow the provisions of the 2022 electoral act and
its own rules in conducting the election.
The duo maintained that INEC breached its regulations and
guidelines by not deploying technological devices for voter accreditation,
verification, continuation, and authentication as required.
However, DAILY POST reported that the Supreme Court
particularly acknowledged that the non-functioning of the Result Viewing (IReV)
portal of the Electoral Commission may reduce the confidence of the voting
public in the electoral process.
“Truth must be told, the non-functioning of the IReV may
also reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process,”
Justice John Okoro said while delivering the lead judgment in the appeal by the
PDP presidential candidate, Atiku.
Recently, Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social
and Political Thoughts, said the “gross flaws” and “manipulations” in the Edo
governorship election were sufficient reasons for the country to have radical
and comprehensive electoral reforms.
Amadi had earlier in a post on X suggested that anyone
dreaming of becoming president in 2027 is not serious without disbanding INEC.
“Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027
and not thinking of disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious,” he posted on
X.
Also speaking further at a press conference recently in
Abuja, he stated that the performance of the INEC in Edo did not inspire
confidence that it would do better in the then forthcoming Ondo election.
“There were allegations that election results were
manipulated.
“The INEC leadership has assured that they will avoid the
mistakes of Edo,” he said.
“There is no reason to trust that they would act honestly to
uphold electoral integrity in Ondo.
“The second issue is the procedure of result collation in
Edo. We have read reports of forensic reviews of observer groups. We see
clearly that the result declared by INEC differs materially from the results
uploaded in the IREV.
“This inconsistency is damaging to the integrity of the
elections. Furthermore, INEC is issuing certified copies of results that are
different from what it has uploaded on the IREV.
“This is alarming. It does not assure us of the integrity of
future elections,” he said.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a Public Affairs Analyst and
Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo, said the
manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials were
serious concerns that needed to be addressed.
Odo opined that the electoral body’s excuses about national
infrastructure and readiness were unconvincing.
He stressed that INEC must get its act together and
demonstrate strong commitment to free and fair elections.
“INEC’s integrity is once again under fire, and I’m fed up
with their constant failures.
“Like former President Obasanjo’s criticism, I agree that
INEC’s lack of integrity, especially in electronic transmission of results, is
alarming.
“The recent governorship election in Edo State was a
critical test for INEC, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve failed miserably.
“Their inability to ensure transparency and fairness in the
electoral process is appalling. The manipulation of results and lack of
accountability among INEC officials are serious concerns that need to be
addressed.
“The fact that some parties didn’t even submit polling and
collation agents, yet they’re participating in the election, is a joke.
“The electronic transmission of results is not rocket
science, but INEC has made it seem like an insurmountable task.
“Their excuses about national infrastructure and readiness
are tired and unconvincing. It’s time for INEC to take responsibility for their
failures and ensure that future elections are credible and transparent.
“INEC must get its act together: No more excuses, no more
failures. INEC needs to demonstrate its commitment to free and fair elections.
“Accountability is key: INEC officials involved in electoral
malpractices must be held accountable. Transparency is essential: Electronic
transmission of results must be implemented effectively to prevent
manipulation.
“It’s time for INEC to redeem its integrity and ensure that
the people’s votes count. Anything less is unacceptable.”
On his part, Onyebuchi Igboke, the Project Manager of
Advocacy Partnership for Good Governance and Convener, Office of the Citizens,
told DAILY POST that the electoral commission should be for persons of
integrity.
Igboke particularly noted that the INEC chairman, Prof.
Mahmoud Yakubu dashed the hope of many Nigerians contrary to his promise to
transmit presidential election results in real time.
According to him, the electoral system in Nigeria should be
reformed, suggesting that the power of the President to appoint the INEC
chairman be removed.
He said: “INEC as an institution should be manned only by
persons who have integrity. From what was observed from the last election, the
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu dashed the hope of Nigerians, especially
young Nigerians.
“He made a promise severally before the 2023 presidential
election to transmit results electronically, not just the transmission of
results but in real time.
“However, everyone was disappointed how the results for the
presidential election weren’t transmitted as he promised.
“I totally agree with what the former President Olusegun
Obasanjo said about the institution lacking in integrity. In a sane clime, the
INEC chairman should have resigned after the event of the 2022 general
election.
“In the recent off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, Ondo, and
Edo states, we saw what happened. Is that what we wish to have as an election?
“Election is a serious business because it gives people the
opportunity to recruit individuals who will manage their resources, lead them
into prosperity, and solve their problems.
“Electioneering in Nigeria should be reformed. This should
begin by removing the power of the President to even appoint the INEC
chairman.”
Last week, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on the
urgent need for reform and strengthening of the nation’s electoral process.
Obasanjo specifically called for the dismissal of the
Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and officials of the commission at all levels
the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at all levels for electoral
integrity.
The erstwhile President spoke at the weekend via a recorded
video address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, New
Haven, Connecticut, United States, saying the electoral system reform is now
among the top targets for change in Nigeria.
Obasanjo stressed that Nigerians must ensure that the INEC
chairman and his staff were thoroughly vetted, adding that the vetting exercise
should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.
“As a matter of urgency, we must make sure the INEC
chairperson and his or her staff are thoroughly vetted. The vetting exercise
should yield dispassionate, non-partisan, actors with impeccable reputations.
“Nigeria must ensure the appointment of new credible INEC
leadership at the federal, state, local government and municipal – city, town,
and village levels – with short tenures – to prevent undesirable political
influence and corruption, and re-establish trust in the electoral systems by
its citizens.
“The INEC chairperson must not only be absolutely above
board, he must also be transparently independent and incorruptible,” he said.
Obasanjo pointed that INEC failed to implement the Bimodal
Voter Accreditation System and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal during the
2023.
“These technologies were touted by the INEC chairman
himself. In the end, these technologies did not fail. INEC wilfully failed to
use or implement them which resulted in widespread voting irregularities. It
was a case of inviting the fox into the hen house,” Obasanjo stated.
However, the Presidency took issue with Obasanjo’s critique
of the INEC.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on
Information and Strategy in a statement on Monday accused him of hypocrisy
given his administration’s alleged role in organising what it described as the
“most fraudulent election held in Nigeria since 1960.”
“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the
worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent
National Electoral Commission,” Onanuga wrote
DAILY POST reports that the call comes fresh from the
divided opinions and controversies that trailed the outcome of the 2023 general
elections, including the recently held off cycle elections in Kogi and Edo
states.
DAILY POST also recalls that the alleged non-compliance with
the 2022 electoral law by INEC was one of the grounds on which the presidential
candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of
the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, challenged the declaration of President Bola
Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
Athough Atiku and Obi lost their petitions at the
Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Supreme Court,
respectively, they had argued that INEC did not follow the provisions of the
2022 electoral act and its own rules in conducting the election.
The duo maintained that INEC breached its regulations and
guidelines by not prescribing and deploying technological devices for voter
accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.
However, DAILY POST reported that the Supreme Court
particularly acknowledged that the non-functioning of the Result Viewing (IReV)
portal of the Electoral Commission may reduce the confidence of the voting
public in the electoral process.
“Truth must be told, the non-functioning of the IReV may
also reduce the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process,”
Justice John Okoro said while delivering the lead judgment in the appeal by the
PDP presidential candidate Atiku.
Recently, Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social
and Political Thoughts, said the “gross flaws” and “manipulations” in the Edo
governorship election were sufficient reason for the country to have radical
and comprehensive electoral reforms.
Amadi had earlier in post on X suggested that anyone
dreaming of becoming president in 2027 is not serious without disbanding INEC.
Amadi’s statement comes after the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the All Progressives Congress, APC’s
Monday Okpebholo as winner of the Edo State governorship election last
September.
“Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027
and not thinking of disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious,” he posted on
X.
But speaking further at a press conference recently in
Abuja, he stated that the performance of the INEC in Edo did not inspire
confidence that it would do better in the then forthcoming Ondo election.
“There were allegations election results were manipulated.
“The INEC leadership has assured that they will avoid the
mistakes of Edo,” he said.
“There is no reason to trust that they would act honestly to
uphold electoral integrity in Ondo.
“The second issue is the procedure of result collation in
Edo. We have read reports of forensic reviews of observer groups. We see
clearly that the result declared by INEC differs materially from the results
uploaded in the IREV.
“This inconsistency is damaging to the integrity of the
elections. Furthermore, INEC is issuing certified copies of results that are
different from what it has uploaded on the IREV.
“This is alarming. It does not assure us of the integrity of
future elections,” he said.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a Public Affairs Analyst and
Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo, said the
manipulation of results and lack of accountability among INEC officials are
serious concerns that need to be addressed.
Odo opined that the electoral body’s excuses about national
infrastructure and readiness are tired and unconvincing.
He stressed that INEC must get its act together and
demonstrate strong commitment to free and fair elections.
“INEC’s integrity is once again under fire, and I’m fed up
with their constant failures. Like former President Obasanjo’s criticism, I
agree that INEC’s lack of integrity, especially in electronic transmission of
results, is alarming.
“The recent governorship election in Edo State was a
critical test for INEC, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve failed miserably.
“Their inability to ensure transparency and fairness in the
electoral process is appalling. The manipulation of results and lack of
accountability among INEC officials are serious concerns that need to be
addressed.
“The fact that some parties didn’t even submit polling and
collation agents, yet they’re participating in the election, is a joke.
“The electronic transmission of results is not rocket
science, but INEC has made it seem like an insurmountable task. Their excuses
about national infrastructure and readiness are tired and unconvincing. It’s
time for INEC to take responsibility for their failures and ensure that future
elections are credible and transparent.
“INEC must get its act together: No more excuses, no more
failures. INEC needs to demonstrate its commitment to free and fair elections.
“Accountability is key: INEC officials involved in electoral
malpractices must be held accountable. Transparency is essential: Electronic
transmission of results must be implemented effectively to prevent
manipulation.
“It’s time for INEC to redeem its integrity and ensure that
the people’s votes count. Anything less is unacceptable.”
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