By Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly condemned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent call for the removal of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obasanjo had made his remarks during a lecture at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, where he criticized Yakubu’s leadership and advocated for his immediate dismissal. However, in a strongly worded statement, Ohanaeze Ndigbo dismissed the former president’s call as “ill-advised” and “politically motivated,” asserting that it lacked ethical grounding.
The group highlighted the controversial legacy of Obasanjo’s own administration in managing electoral processes. It cited the 2003 and 2007 general elections, which were widely criticized as some of the most fraudulent in Nigeria’s history. According to Ohanaeze, this record disqualifies Obasanjo from passing judgment on current electoral leadership.
Ohanaeze argued that it is premature and unnecessary to call for Yakubu’s removal, particularly as his tenure is slated to end in 2025. The organisation instead advocated for continuity in leadership to ensure the completion of ongoing reforms within the electoral system.
“INEC under Professor Mahmood Yakubu has introduced significant advancements such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV),” the group noted. These innovations, according to Ohanaeze, have played a crucial role in restoring public confidence in the electoral process, particularly during recent off-cycle elections.
The organisation also emphasized the importance of stability in electoral leadership, suggesting that discussions about the future of INEC’s leadership and structure should commence only after Yakubu completes his term.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering continuous electoral reforms that transcend partisan politics. He called on patriotic leaders and citizens to join in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy rather than undermining it with premature demands for leadership changes.
“It is fundamentally premature and ill-timed for anyone to call for the sack of Professor Mahmood Yakubu while he is still in office,” Isiguzoro stated. “We advocate for stability and completion of ongoing reforms to build a stronger electoral system for Nigeria.”
Ohanaeze expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ability to collaborate with the National Assembly to transform INEC and fortify Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The group reiterated that electoral reforms should be approached with foresight and collaboration, ensuring that the foundation for credible elections is firmly established before considering leadership transitions.
