The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has emphasized the need for a non-partisan and courageous leader as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on Wednesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Itodo stressed that the remarkable reforms recorded by INEC have been dampened by electoral fraud.
Itodo emphasised that INEC needed a leader with impeccable character to improve the electoral process.
He also outlined essential qualities for the next INEC Chairman to include a leader with unblemished character and integrity, free from political affiliation and bias and willing to do the lawful thing, no matter whose ox is gored
Itodo further noted that while INEC has made significant progress in electoral reforms, stressed that the commission still faced challenges related to electoral fraud.
He stressed the need for strong and independent leadership to improve the electoral process.
Itodo’s call for a non-partisan and courageous INEC Chairman comes at a critical time, as the commission prepares for future elections.
Civil society groups have also thrown their weight behind Itodo’s call, emphasising that electoral reforms and the appointment of an incorruptible INEC Chairman are crucial to saving Nigeria’s democracy from total collapse.
The tenure of the current INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is set to end in December 2025, and the appointment of a new chairman would be crucial in determining the future of Nigeria’s electoral process.
