Professorship Alone Shouldn’t Qualify INEC Chairman, Says Oditah

Former Delta State governorship aspirant, Fidelis Oditah, has stated that holding a professorship should not automatically qualify someone to serve as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oditah made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, following the exit of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu as INEC chairman.

He argued that while academic achievements are commendable, they do not necessarily equip an individual for the practical demands of leading Nigeria’s electoral body.

“For the chairmanship of INEC, I don’t mean to disparage professors, but simply being a professor, with knowledge in a particular field, does not qualify one to be an INEC commissioner, let alone its chairman,” Oditah said.

He also cited the 2019 elections in Akwa Ibom State, where two professors were convicted of electoral malpractice, emphasizing the need for caution.

“We must be sceptical of the idea that professorship alone is a sufficient qualification. Appointing professors is not wrong, but it is not a guarantee of electoral integrity,” he added.

Oditah’s comments come amid discussions on the future leadership of INEC and the preparedness of Nigeria’s electoral system for upcoming polls.