Reforming Nigeria’s Democracy: Obasanjo Calls for Immediate Dismissal of INEC Chairman

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the immediate dismissal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and all commission officials across Nigeria. He described this as a crucial step towards reforming the country’s electoral system.

Obasanjo made the statement in a pre-recorded address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” delivered at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, USA.

The forum, held in honor of the renowned Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, focused on leadership and democracy in Africa.

INEC failed Nigeria in 2023 elections

Criticizing the 2023 general elections, Obasanjo described the process as a “travesty,” stating that INEC had willfully failed to utilize critical technologies like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“The BVAS and IReV are two technological innovations celebrated for their potential to enhance transparency and accuracy in elections,” he said.

“These technologies did not fail. INEC willfully failed to use or implement them, leading to widespread voting irregularities. It was a case of inviting the fox into the henhouse.”

Shorter tenures, rigorous vetting needed

Obasanjo proposed shorter tenures for INEC officials and stricter vetting processes to ensure non-partisan, credible appointments.

“As a matter of urgency, we must ensure the INEC Chairperson and their staff are thoroughly vetted,” he said. “The vetting exercise should produce dispassionate, non-partisan actors with impeccable reputations.”

He stressed the importance of appointing INEC leadership at all levels who are “absolutely above board, transparently independent, and incorruptible.”

Calls for institutional reforms

Obasanjo’s recommendations also include reforms to global governance institutions and Nigeria’s electoral system. He reiterated his long-standing call for structural changes to restore public trust in democratic processes.

Past controversies and INEC criticism

INEC, led by Yakubu since 2015, has faced heavy criticism following the 2023 general elections, especially over the failure of the IReV platform during the presidential poll. INEC blamed the incident on technical glitches, but public trust in the commission has since diminished.

Adding to the controversy, PREMIUM TIMES reported that some recently appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners had partisan affiliations, particularly with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Obasanjo’s critique of INEC is sharp, his own record during the 2003 and 2007 elections, widely criticized as deeply flawed, casts a shadow on his calls for reform.

Achebe’s legacy and Africa’s future

The Yale event also featured other prominent Nigerians, including Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, and former Minister Oby Ezekwesili.

Obi participated in panels on leadership and democracy, emphasizing the need for younger generations to shape Africa’s future.

Cajetan Iheka, head of the Yale Africa Initiative, echoed Chinua Achebe’s call for intellectuals to move beyond questioning leadership to providing actionable solutions.

Leadership and accountability

The event underscored the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s leadership and electoral systems, with Obasanjo’s bold call for change highlighting the deep cracks in the nation’s democratic foundation.