Obasanjo urges overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral system

In a powerful call to action, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has demanded a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, including the dismissal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and other officials involved in overseeing elections.

Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo delivered a searing critique of the 2023 general elections, labeling them a “travesty” and asserting the need for sweeping changes to restore public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.

During his presentation titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” Obasanjo highlighted several key areas requiring reform. Central to his recommendations is the reduction of the tenure for INEC officials, which he argued would help insulate the commission from political and corruptive influences.

He called for a stringent vetting process to ensure that only individuals of proven integrity and non-partisan backgrounds occupy positions within the electoral body.

Obasanjo stressed that the credibility of the electoral process depends heavily on the transparency and independence of INEC’s leadership. “INEC’s leadership must be seen as beyond reproach, displaying absolute transparency and incorruptibility,” he said.

In critiquing the 2023 election, Obasanjo pointed out the commission’s failure to fully implement advanced voting technologies, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV). These tools, designed to enhance transparency and accuracy, were heavily promoted by INEC but were notably absent during the election, resulting in widespread allegations of irregularities.

“The BVAS and IReV were heralded as game-changers for fair elections, with their potential to reduce the risk of fraud and improve public trust. However, INEC’s deliberate failure to deploy these technologies during the presidential election was a case of inviting the fox into the henhouse,” Obasanjo stated emphatically.

He further underscored the need for INEC to adopt practices that align with the highest standards of electoral conduct, warning that without substantial reforms, Nigeria’s democracy would remain vulnerable to manipulation and public disillusionment.