Yiaga Africa Calls for Independent Leadership at INEC

The non-governmental organisation, Yiaga Africa, has urged the Federal Government to appoint a truly independent chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.

Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, made the call on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television. He noted that while INEC has implemented significant reforms in recent years, the impact has been undermined by recurring cases of electoral malpractice.

Itodo emphasized that anyone set to succeed the incumbent National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, must be free of political affiliations and possess the courage to enforce the law, even when it challenges powerful interests.

“There is a critical need for the next INEC chairman and national commissioners to be people of impeccable character who have never been associated with any political party. They must have the courage to resist political pressure and act in the nation’s interest,” he said.

He added that such appointments would strengthen public confidence in INEC and ensure the integrity of upcoming elections, particularly the 2027 general polls.