Agbakoba, Falana, Others Push Electoral Overhaul Ahead of INEC Succession

 

 

Agbakoba, Falana, Others Push Electoral Overhaul Ahead of INEC Succession

 

 

Eminent scholars, lawyers, and other key stakeholders are set to push for fresh electoral reforms amid rising suspense over who succeeds the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, as his tenure lapses on November 9 this year.

 

Among the key figures behind the initiative are former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba; human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana; economist, Professor Pat Utomi; former Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; former presidential candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu; former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; and a former INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.

 

Others include Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, constitutional lawyer Clement Nwankwo, politician Buba Galadima, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, NLC president Comrade Joe Ajaero, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, and Mr. Samson Itodo.

 

Yakubu, who was first sworn in as INEC chairman on November 9, 2015, conducted the 2019 and 2023 general elections. He was reappointed for a second term on November 9, 2020, making him ineligible for another extension. His impending exit has heightened interest in who will succeed him.

 

The coalition of professionals, former ministers, lawyers, and activists has concluded plans to hold a national dialogue on electoral reforms aimed at addressing contentious issues that trailed the 2023 elections.

 

The leaders are also set to launch a new platform, the Alliance for Defence of Democracy (ADD), on October 1, to drive the campaign and mobilization for reforms. The initiative is spearheaded by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) in collaboration with organised labour and civil society groups.

 

NCFront spokesman, Mallam Hamisu San Turaki, said in a statement on Sunday that the mass campaign would be launched during the dialogue to mobilise Nigerians at home and abroad towards an appropriate electoral framework ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

According to him, the stakeholders stressed the urgent need for reforms during the recent National Constitutional Summit organised by elder statesmen under the aegis of The Patriots and the Nigeria Political Summit Group (NPSG).

 

He added that the latest initiative seeks to address critical reforms in Nigeria’s electoral laws, including compulsory electronic transmission of results, effective criminalisation of vote buying, early and diaspora voting, proportional representation in governance, and special seats for women and other vulnerable groups.

 

The national dialogue will also feature addresses by labour leaders, including NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, alongside other prominent figures.