With Professor Mahmood Yakubu set to retire as INEC Chairman in 2025, Nigeria faces a defining moment. The appointment of his successor and the broader reform of the electoral commission will shape the credibility of the 2027 general elections. The time to act is not during the campaign season, but now.
At the heart of this moment lies a critical flaw in the current appointment process. Currently, the President appoints the INEC Chairman, raising concerns about neutrality and institutional independence. In a nation where elections are fiercely contested, this process risks eroding public confidence in the electoral body and fuels suspicion of bias before votes are even cast.
This concern is compounded by structural weaknesses within the commission itself. Beyond leadership change, INEC requires a complete structural reform. Its funding must be made independent and constitutionally guaranteed. Recruitment and training of election staff must be merit-based and transparent. Internal checks must be strengthened to reduce logistical errors and administrative lapses.
Public trust cannot be rebuilt without concrete technological accountability. INEC’s credibility suffered significantly after the failed promise to transmit 2023 election results in real time. For 2027, this feature must move from aspiration to law. Immediate, electronic transmission of polling unit results is key to minimizing rigging and reducing post-election disputes.
Restoring confidence will also require a new approach to leadership selection. The next INEC Chairman must be chosen through an independent process, possibly led by a panel of jurists, civil society, and non-partisan representatives. Such reform would enhance public confidence and ensure that the commission remains an impartial umpire, not an extension of the executive.
The cost of inaction cannot be overstated. Delaying reform until 2026 or 2027 will only repeat the mistakes of the past. If Nigeria fails to act now, it risks another electoral cycle marred by controversy, low voter turnout, and contested legitimacy. The opportunity to strengthen INEC is here and must not be wasted.