Five days after the 21 September governorship election in Edo State, renowned columnist Ikechukwu Amaechi, in a piece titled, If I Were Asue Ighodalo, stated: “The Edo election has confirmed what every discerning Nigerian knows: the Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a fraud with no moral fibre to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. If I were Asue Ighodalo, the latest victim of Nigeria’s soulless electoral mafia, I will not go to court. The matter will be settled on the streets of Edo. If that is what those inclined to being politically correct call anarchy, so be it. Truth be told, unless and until Nigerians show the capacity to resist the malfeasance of INEC and their enablers on the streets, not in courts, this impunity will not stop”.
Amaechi’s strongly worded piece underscored the overwhelming dissatisfaction that followed the brazen abracadabra INEC performed in Edo State and dubbed an election.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and some of its accredited member-organisations, including the Centre for Democracy and Development, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa, all took INEC to task over the Edo fiasco. Their consensus was clear: INEC, under Mahmood Yakubu, spectacularly failed in the governorship election in an unprecedented manner since 1999.
They were not alone. Among the notable voices was the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, who called for INEC’s disbandment, citing evidence that the electoral umpire has consistently been at fault for poor elections in the country. About 10 days ago, he further criticized INEC, asking: “How should the courts now respond to alleged absurdities and abnormalities by INEC? We are seeing a lot of loss of confidence in the electoral system. INEC is getting worse, almost more criminal in their undertakings. How should the courts now respond?”
That’s not all. The TAP Initiative for Citizens Development recently revealed shocking discoveries during its investigations into the Edo election. A human rights lawyer and Executive Director of TAP Initiative, Martin Obono highlighted monumental electoral manipulations allegedly orchestrated by compromised INEC staff. TAP even petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to prosecute certain INEC staff for corrupt practices.
Over the weekend, former President Olusegun Obasanjo added his voice, heavily criticising INEC and calling for Yakubu’s immediate dismissal. Obasanjo meticulously detailed his failures and labelled the 2023 general election a “travesty”.
Enough is enough. If I were Yakubu, I would resign. But public officials in Nigeria rarely resign, no matter their failings. Yakubu continues to act as if everything is normal. No, it is not. It is time for him to go.
The reasons are clear. First, INEC’s credibility under Yakubu’s leadership is so badly damaged that most Nigerians no longer trust its processes. Under his watch, elections have become progressively controversial, rife with allegations of bias and misconduct. Before our eyes, individuals openly boast about the next state to “capture”, and INEC appears powerless to stop them. Yakubu, please go.
The fundamental purpose of INEC is to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. That mandate has been severely compromised. Enough is enough.
Incidents of vote suppression, manipulation of figures, and blatant violations of electoral guidelines have become alarmingly frequent, fueling accusations of partiality and incompetence. A responsible leader would acknowledge these failures and act in the public’s best interest. Instead, Yakubu has deflected criticism rather than addressing the systemic issues plaguing the electoral process.
Furthermore, the disregard for technological solutions intended to enhance electoral transparency is baffling. INEC has tools like the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (iREV) to ensure accountability. Yet, their utilisation has been inconsistent, often undermined by reports of tampering by compromised officials. This failure to harness technology exacerbates doubts about INEC’s integrity under Yakubu’s watch. He should go.
In Edo, allegations of manipulated figures and internal collusion have raised alarms about INEC’s neutrality. These reports suggest a culture of impunity, where accountability and ethical standards are absent.
The repercussions of these electoral missteps are profound. As Nigeria navigates an increasingly complex political landscape, restoring faith in electoral institutions is essential. Yakubu’s resignation would signal accountability, paving the way for a rejuvenated INEC that prioritizes integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness.
In conclusion, the case for Yakubu’s resignation is compelling. INEC was never designed to usurp the civic rights of Nigerians to choose their leaders. Its role is to manage and oversee the process, not hijack it. To safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, INEC’s leadership must reflect the people’s aspirations for credible elections. A leadership change is essential to revive confidence, inspire reform, and secure the democratic ideals the nation holds dear.
So, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, it’s time to go.
Etakibuebu, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos
