Investigative journalist, Babajide Otitoju, has revealed an incident that gives him no reason to believe that INEC is totally independent. Babajide said this while reacting to the absence of Ahmad Lawan, Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umahi (Ebonyi State) on INEC’s candidates’ lists ahead of the 2023 general election.

Babajide reacted to the development by saying, “I hope INEC will stand firm until the end.” I have no reason to believe that INEC is totally independent. INEC can decide to extend the time ceiling for the presidential primaries of political parties because of a party. I have no reason to believe that it is totally independent. INEC is legally permitted to recognize only the winners of primaries that it witnesses. For example, INEC is saying Akpabio was absent during the APC primaries that it witnessed in Akwa Ibom. Also, Ahmad Lawan did not participate in the Yobe State primaries that INEC witnessed. You can not expect INEC to include the names of people who did not take part in those primaries as it would go against the law to do so.

He continued, “It is true that parties have the final say regarding the candidates who represent them during elections.” However, there are guidelines and rules that the parties must obey. Parties are no longer permitted to simply substitute people. The winner of the primary election has to personally deliver his withdrawal letter to INEC. A fresh primary election would be organized after this. It happened in Bauchi state after the placeholder pulled out of the race to enable the governor to participate in a fresh primary election.