As the political landscape in Nigeria intensifies, several allegations have emerged concerning the appointment of a new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, is set to retire from his position in less than 60 days after overseeing the presidential elections of 2023.
However, speculation regarding the potential selection of a particular individual from the political sphere have surfaced, prompting concerns that the President’s appointment could ignite significant discord within the country.
Amid the debate about Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s replacement, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has warned that an alleged move by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to appoint a controversial retired judge as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could plunged the nation into crisis.
Galadima alleged that Tinubu’s government was considering installing a retired Court of Appeal judge with a questionable reputation to head the electoral body.
Speaking in an interview on the Prime Time programme on ARISE News TV, on Monday, September 15, Galadima said: “Come November, there are rumours all over the place that this government is nominating a just retired court of appeals judge who is known for notoriety to be the chairman of INEC. I wish it is not true.
“Because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war in this country,” he said.
Speaking further, the NNPP stalwart accused Tinubu’s administration of having no regard for the rule of law. “And we cannot be in a country where the government does not respect the law,” he added.
In a twist, Galadima, also criticised Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC. He alleged that the electoral body has already been compromised in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Galadima, INEC cannot dictate certain electioneering procedures to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly early campaign.
“The INEC chairman has already rigged the election for APC. “INEC has an inability to call political players to order.
“I painfully realised they are not in a position to call them to order because those who pay the piper dictate the tune, ” Galadima added.
Galadima, therefore, argued that such developments pose a direct threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system and warned of dire consequences if the alleged plan goes forward.
“We cannot allow somebody that has a record of notoriety to be imposed on us as INEC chairman,” he declared.