In a striking address at the sixth annual Freedom Online lecture held on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, according to Newmen, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State raised serious concerns regarding the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. Fubara's remarks come in the wake of a political crisis that has gripped his state, particularly surrounding the contentious issue of political defections.
Fubara's skepticism centers on INEC's alleged selective enforcement of constitutional provisions related to political defections. According to the Nigerian constitution, lawmakers who switch allegiance from the party on which they were elected should automatically lose their seats. However, Fubara accused the electoral body of failing to uphold this law, suggesting that its inconsistent application undermines both the rule of law and the democratic process.
"The Independent National Electoral Commission has failed to uphold the law concerning political defections," Fubara stated through his representative, former Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru. "When institutions fail to do the needful, the rule of law is weakened, and democracy suffers."
This criticism is particularly pertinent given the ongoing controversy involving 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly. These legislators recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning themselves with former Governor Nyesom Wike amidst rising tensions between him and the current administration led by Fubara. The defection has led to a significant split in the Assembly, with a faction calling for by-elections to fill the vacated seats, only to be met with INEC's assertion that the matter is currently under judicial review.
The event also featured remarks from Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, who echoed Fubara's sentiments by calling for the immediate removal of INEC Chairman Yakubu. Adams criticized the electoral commission for overseeing two previous general elections marked by irregularities and a lack of credibility. He argued that Yakubu's continued tenure would only serve to benefit politicians seeking to manipulate future elections.
"We need a drastic approach to reform our electoral system," Adams insisted. "If we want credible elections in this country, Nigerians must call for the immediate removal of the incumbent INEC chairman. I don't believe anything good can come from him anymore."
Adams also highlighted the unprecedented nature of Yakubu's tenure, noting that it is unusual for one individual to oversee three presidential elections. He expressed concern that this could indicate ulterior motives, suggesting that some political figures may wish to retain Yakubu in his position for their own gain.
The discussion was moderated by Chief Olabode George, who highlighted the varying public reactions to General Ibrahim Babangida's recent memoir, which included an admission of error regarding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. George urged Nigerians to allow scholars to analyze Babangida's account without the cloud of bias.
Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde addressed the theme of the event, emphasizing that the real challenge in Nigerian politics lies not in blaming leaders or the populace, but rather in the monetization of the political landscape. He observed that the ease with which political officeholders can buy votes has bred indifference towards genuine governance.
The sentiment was echoed by former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, who asserted that both INEC and the judiciary have been compromised by political interests, stressing the urgent need to limit the influence of money in politics.
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Omoniyi Olubolade, added that leaders must prioritize good governance to earn respect and ensure a legacy for future generations. He called upon citizens to voice their discontent with incompetent leadership and urged leaders to commit to transparency and anti-corruption measures.
Gabriel Akinadewo, Managing Director of Freedom Online, opened the event by underscoring the critical need for political and judicial reforms in Nigeria. The gathering attracted notable figures, including former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and 2023 presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo, along with distinguished members of the media and civil society.
As the political landscape in Rivers State continues to evolve, the scrutiny on INEC's role and leadership remains a focal point of discourse, raising questions about the future of electoral integrity in Nigeria.
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