The head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has been encouraged to build upon the achievements and changes implemented during the tenure of his predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Prominent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the nation issued a statement in Abuja during a conference hosted by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), recognizing the accomplishments and changes achieved by INEC under Yakubu’s direction.
They highlighted that maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s voting system depends on the joint dedication of political groups, the courts, law enforcement bodies, and the public—particularly as the country gets ready for the 2027 nationwide elections.
The conference, titled ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Reflections on a Decade of INEC Leadership,’ gathered political figures, scholars, and representatives from civil society. Attendees emphasized that leveraging the institutional and technological base is essential for creating a more reliable, open, and robust electoral process.
The Deputy National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Dipo Olayoku, observed that conducting elections in Nigeria continues to be one of the nation’s most intricate duties, emphasizing that obstacles go beyond just the electoral commission.
He stated, “Organizing elections in Nigeria is not a simple endeavor, particularly because many Nigerians still hold the belief that involvement in an election should ensure success. We all recall the ‘do-or-die’ politics of 2007. This attitude continues to be one of the greatest dangers to our democracy.”
He, nevertheless, expressed concern over the absence of responsibility for election-related violations, pointing out that when misconduct remains unchecked, even progressive leaders can attain only modest results.
The head of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Ms. Faith Nwadishi, stated that the conference was held not only to honor Yakubu’s accomplishments but also to consider the lessons gained and outline future directions.
As per her statement, INEC achieved notable progress via innovations including the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic result reporting, enhanced logistics, and increased involvement with key stakeholders.
INEC implemented ongoing voter registration, increased engagement with stakeholders, and improved its internal processes. Notably, Prof. Yakubu made INEC more accessible to civil society organizations, the media, and other groups, emphasizing transparency in managing elections.
“He was also mindful of gender issues, establishing the first daycare at the INEC office to assist working mothers,” Nwadishi added.
Nevertheless, she voiced worries about ongoing issues, such as instability, vote trading, voter coercion, and lack of voter interest, which still threaten the integrity of elections.
Additionally, the Executive Director of the Pioneering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Nigeria (PAACA), Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, characterized Yakubu’s time in office as an era of significant creativity.
He emphasized the digital transformation of voting procedures—especially the electronic submission of outcomes via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV)—as a significant move that enhanced openness.
Although it wasn’t flawless, it marked a positive move forward. The INEC candidate nomination portal represented another advancement that helped put an end to the practice of politicians trying to sway INEC officials. It introduced order and played a crucial role in improving our electoral system. Ongoing voter registration was also a significant reform that needs to be maintained,” Nwagwu stated.
Delivering the main speech, Prof. Emmanuel Aiyede from the Department of Political Institutions, Governance, and Public Policy at the University of Ibadan stated that technology by itself is not enough to ensure fair elections. He emphasized that the future of Nigeria’s democracy relies on strong institutions and active citizen responsibility.
“Democracy cannot depend entirely on technology. The future of Nigeria’s elections will be determined by institutional collaboration and civic duty,” he stated.
Aiyede characterized Yakubu’s ten-year leadership as “a practice for what lies ahead,” encouraging the new INEC administration to enhance local elections, boost voter engagement, refine result handling, and establish post-election responsibility.
“His leadership has demonstrated that genuine elections are not miracles of chance but results of adherence to law, procedure, and values. The Commission he leaves is not flawless, but it is driven—not without its detractors, yet undeniably credible in its development,” Aiyede stated.
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