The battle for who becomes the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is already heating up as Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections.
With Professor Mahmood Yakubu set to step down in November after serving since 2015, political parties are already setting their expectations for his successor. There are reports that President Bola Tinubu has been compiling names of possible candidates, as required by law.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says its concern is fairness. The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, noted that elections must be conducted in a way that allows everyone to participate without bias.
According to him, “our interest is winning and winning elections in a free and fair atmosphere… So, we look forward to a leader of the Independent National Electoral Commission that will allow a level playing field, that will allow elections to be conducted freely and fairly. So, our interest is a leader who will come and play by the book.”
However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists the position must not go to anyone with questionable character. National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stressed that only someone of proven integrity should take charge.
He said, “The next INEC chairman must be someone who has integrity, must be somebody who will not have questionable character, must be impartial, someone who will be independent and run the commission that way, as required by the constitution and the law. So that’s our expectation.”
African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is the newly formed coalition to challenge the ruling APC, raised even stronger warnings. Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdulahi, argued that Nigeria’s democracy could be shaken if INEC credibility is not restored.
In his words, “The most important thing is that I think the INEC over the years has suffered a crisis of credibility in the eyes of the Nigerian voters. The new INEC chairman has to ensure that the commission stays at its credibility level… Failing to do so could create doubt in the minds of citizens about the credibility of the 2027 elections and whether they will be free and fair.”
He further cautioned that an appointment seen as partisan could trigger unrest. “If it’s someone who thinks he’s coming here to defend the ruling party, then the opposition party will react accordingly,” he said.
By constitutional provision, the next INEC boss must be at least 50 years old and a person of “unquestionable integrity.”
Nigerians are watching closely, as the credibility of the 2027 polls may rest on who takes over from Yakubu.
