Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s electoral process, calling for the removal of Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the prestigious Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo described the 2023 general election as a “travesty,” advocating for sweeping reforms to restore integrity to the nation’s electoral system.
Obasanjo highlighted the need for a fresh leadership approach at INEC, proposing shorter tenures for electoral officials and a stringent vetting process to ensure the appointment of individuals who are both impartial and incorruptible.
Reflecting on the 2023 election, Obasanjo expressed disappointment over INEC’s alleged failure to effectively deploy critical technologies, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“These technologies had the potential to eliminate rigging and boost trust in the system but were deliberately underutilized,” he said.
The former president argued that the inadequate use of these innovations undermined public confidence in the electoral process and paved the way for irregularities.
He urged the government to prioritise rebuilding trust through transparent reforms.
Electoral Failures in Nigeria
Obasanjo’s comments reignite ongoing debates about the integrity of the 2023 elections, which were marred by controversies over delayed results and allegations of voter suppression.
Observers, both local and international, had raised concerns over INEC’s logistical challenges and the underperformance of its much-vaunted technological systems.
The use of BVAS and IReV was initially lauded as a game-changer for Nigeria’s elections, with promises to ensure real-time voter accreditation and instant transmission of results.
However, reports of system failures and intentional bypassing of the platforms cast a shadow over their implementation.
In his speech, Obasanjo emphasised the importance of credible leadership at INEC, warning that the country’s democratic future hinges on the commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
“Without credible leadership, we cannot expect credible elections,” he said.
As Nigeria gears up for future elections, Obasanjo’s call for reform adds to mounting pressure on policymakers to address systemic flaws in the electoral process.
