Tinubu Ask INEC Chairman Yakubu To Step Down From His Duty Post
In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on immediate leave. The directive is said to stem from allegations that the INEC chief betrayed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during recent electoral cycles
Who Is The INEC Chairman?
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, an academic and administrative veteran, was first appointed as INEC Chairman in 2015 and was surprisingly reappointed for a second five-year term in 2020, a move that drew both praise and criticism. His tenure has been arguably the most consequential in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, overseeing the 2019 and the highly anticipated 2023 general elections.
The 2023 polls, which introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for result transmission, were promised to be a significant improvement in electoral integrity. However, the process was marred by widespread logistical failures and significant delays in the electronic transmission of results, leading to a loss of public confidence and a slew of legal challenges from opposition parties.
The Alleged Betrayal and Presidential Directive
According to high-level sources within the Presidential Villa, the presidency has been conducting a post-mortem of the APC’s performance in the last elections. While President Tinubu secured victory, the party suffered unexpected losses in several key gubernatorial and legislative races.
The internal review allegedly identified Professor Yakubu’s handling of the electoral process as a significant factor contributing to these setbacks.
The alleged “betrayal” reportedly centers on operational failures on election day, which the administration believes disproportionately affected the APC’s chances in certain battleground regions. Instead of the expected seamless voting process, widespread technical glitches and delays created confusion, a situation the opposition was able to exploit effectively.
As a result, President Tinubu is said to have summoned Professor Yakubu and instructed him to proceed on immediate leave, clearing the path for the appointment of an acting INEC chairman.
The critical question now is whether Professor Yakubu will comply with the directive and what the process for nominating a successor entails. Constitutionally, the President cannot unilaterally remove an INEC Chairman, who is protected by law to ensure independence.
However, compelling the chairman to proceed on leave is a strategic move that allows the President to appoint an acting head from within the commission’s national commissioner pool.
This acting chairman would then oversee the commission pending any potential Senate confirmation for a permanent replacement, should Yakubu resign or be impeached by the National Assembly. All eyes will be on the Senate, which must confirm any new nominee, to see if it will assert its constitutional role as a check on executive power.
Public and Political Reactions
Public viewpoint on this development is sharply divided along political lines. Supporters of the administration argue that Professor Yakubu failed in his fundamental duty to conduct a credible election and that his continued stay in office undermines future electoral reforms. They see the President’s action as a necessary step to restore accountability.
Conversely, opposition parties and civil society organizations view the move as an overt attempt by the executive to intimidate and control the electoral body. They argue that blaming INEC for the APC’s internal electoral miscalculations sets a dangerous precedent for the independence of critical democratic institutions. For many neutral observers, this situation represents a deepening of the crisis of confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Conclusion:
This unfolding saga represents a critical juncture for Nigerian democracy. The independence of INEC is a cornerstone for credible elections, and any perceived executive overreach threatens to erode its legitimacy further. While accountability for electoral failures is essential, the method and motivation behind this move will be heavily scrutinized.
Does this action signal the end of INEC’s perceived independence from the ruling party?
How will the appointment of a new chairman, perceived to be under the influence of the executive, affect the credibility of upcoming off-cycle elections in states like Edo and Ondo?
Will the Nigerian Senate demonstrate independence by thoroughly scrutinizing any nominee, or will it rubber-stamp the President’s choice?
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