Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, has warned that Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now weaker and more politicised despite the reforms introduced under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Itodo described Yakubu’s 10-year tenure as “a mixed bag” but insisted that political interference and loss of public trust overshadowed many of the commission’s achievements.
“INEC today is weak, and weak because of political interference. Trust in the system is at its lowest since the 2023 elections,” Itodo declared.
He pointed to controversies around the voters’ register, failure to sanction compromised officials, and the commission’s inconsistent application of its guidelines as evidence of declining institutional credibility.
“The commission did not assert its independence as it should. There were missed opportunities to protect the integrity of the process. Nigerians no longer believe their votes count, and that is a dangerous place for our democracy,” he warned.
Itodo stressed that Yakubu’s exit marks a critical moment for Nigeria, as the President prepares to appoint a new INEC chairman.
“What INEC needs now are leaders of impeccable character who can resist political pressure. The future of credible elections depends on it,” he said.
Despite his criticism, the Yiaga Africa boss acknowledged that Yakubu introduced landmark innovations, especially in the use of technology.
“The BVAS and IReV were game changers. For the first time, Nigerians could track results online, and accreditation integrity improved significantly. These are remarkable reforms, but we have not maximised their potential because of political actors,” he added.
With Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu now acting as chairman, attention is on the Presidency to restore public confidence by appointing a successor capable of insulating the commission from political interference.
