As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election, major political parties have outlined their expectations for the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) all stressed the need for credibility, neutrality, and commitment to democracy.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, will complete his tenure in November. He is the longest-serving chairman in the commission’s history.
According to the Constitution, the President appoints the INEC chairman, subject to Senate approval. The appointee must be at least 50 years old and have unquestionable integrity. President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a successor soon.
Speaking on behalf of the APC, the party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the ruling party wants free and fair elections. “As a party, our interest is winning elections in a free and fair atmosphere. We look forward to a leader of INEC that will allow a level playing field, that will allow elections to be conducted freely and fairly. Our interest is a leader who will come and play by the book,” he said.
The PDP also emphasized integrity and impartiality. Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the next INEC chairman must be credible.
“The next INEC chairman must be someone who has integrity, must be impartial, and must run the commission in line with the constitution and the law. The President must do the right thing and ensure a thorough review of the candidate’s character to make sure the person is qualified,” he said.
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The ADC, however, raised concerns about INEC’s credibility over the years. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that a wrong appointment could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
“The new INEC chairman has to ensure that the election system inspires confidence. Failing to do so could create doubt in the minds of citizens about the credibility of the 2027 elections. And the net consequence of that is instability in the country,” he said.
He added that the opposition would resist any chairman who appears biased.
“If they appoint someone that we don’t have confidence in, then that neutrality is not apparent for everyone to see. And then they end up creating doubt,” Abdullahi warned.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, all eyes are now on President Tinubu’s choice of who will lead INEC into what many see as a decisive test for Nigeria’s democracy.