Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reignited the debate on electoral reform, calling for the dismissal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and other officials. Obasanjo emphasized the urgent need for electoral system reforms to ensure transparency and rebuild trust among Nigerians.
Speaking via a recorded address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo criticized INEC’s handling of the 2023 general elections. He accused the commission of failing to implement promised technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which led to alleged voting irregularities.
“The INEC chairperson must not only be above board but also transparently independent and incorruptible,” Obasanjo said, stressing that future INEC appointments must prioritize integrity and competence.
The Presidency, however, dismissed Obasanjo’s critique. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information, accused the former leader of hypocrisy, citing allegations of electoral malpractice during his administration.
The renewed calls for reform follow controversies surrounding the 2023 elections and recent state polls, which observers criticized for irregularities. Public Affairs Analyst Nduka Odo and other stakeholders have echoed Obasanjo’s sentiments, urging accountability and technological transparency to safeguard electoral integrity.
The debate continues as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, with many insisting on comprehensive reforms to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
