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My Fears For Yakubu’s INEC …Of Partisanship, Bias, Untrustworthiness

Published

9 years ago

November 7, 2016

When the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency appointed renowned academic, frontline civil rights crusader and unrepentant apostle of democracy. Professor Attahiru Jega, as electoral umpire, the political plane in Nigeria agreed that the nation’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would indeed be independent. Adjudged too forthright, no government, anxious to hang-on to power, would have risked considering Jega as first choice.

But because President Jonathan wanted to institutionalize true democracy, even at great risk to his re-election bid, he listened to public opinion which, at the time weighed overwhelmingly in favour of Jega, and went on to make the pronouncement.

The appointment of the current INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu failed to attract that measure of public acceptance. Infact, his, seemed an after-thought when, first attempt by the Muhammadu Buhari’s Prsidency to impose a relation, Amina Zakari attracted fierce public criticism of unimaginable kind. It also revealed the obvious signs that Buhari would not be as ‘careless’ about power, as did Jonathan, to allow INEC be run by an ‘outsider’. If not, being a southerner, since Jonathan appointed a Northerner as INEC Chairman, Buhari was under moral obligation to appoint a Southerner, for purposes of balance.

When Jega exited the office, he handed over to the next most senior, Ambassador Ahmed Wali, as Acting Chairman, but upon assumption of office, Buhari quickly chose a relation in INEC, Hajiya Amina Zakari as Acting Chairman amidst public uproar. It was in her replacement that Prof. Yakubu emerged as INEC Chair without any contributions by the Nigerian public as was the case with Prof. Jega’s appointment.

The immediate implication is the fear that Yakubu may well be working only for the interest of his appointer and not for the furtherance of democracy as was the case with Prof. Jega. Many indeed voiced skepticism over the needed neutrality of Yakubu and the possibility to defend electoral victory against his appointor’s party.

Public fears were proved right, when, within a short time, every election not won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared inconclusive but those won by APC, conclusive, even in similar circumstances.

From Kogi to Bayelsa, and Rivers the same pattern of obvious partisanship ran through. When elections were seen going the way of the opposition, a make-belief violent atmosphere is conjured and those elections declared inconclusive for security reasons, to enable the APC more time to replan.

It is often said that one can fool some of the people all the time or even all of the people some of the time, but surely not all the people all the time. This is what INEC’s criminal delay of rerun elections, for Rivers State and subsequent Senate reproach clearly magnifies. INEC bought time, repeatedly claiming insecurity in Rivers as reason for its inability to conduct credible elections, while in fact it was because, its attempts to subvert the people’s will was resisted by voters in every step, even with the deployment of armed security in questionable numbers.

The Ruling APC has never hidden its desperation to control oil-producing states like Akwa Ibom, Edo, Rivers and Delta States. Infact, when the Supreme Court delivered judgement on Governorship polls on both Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, APC Chairman, Chief John Oyegun seemed heartbroken, and was quoted as saying, even with the fall in oil prices, Rivers and Akwa Ibom are not states we should lose to PDP.

With the governorship lost, and legislative seats in Rivers thrown open and up for grabs, by the in Appeal Court ruling, APC’s hopes of controlling the state, by winning majority seats in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly and using that to ultimately unseat the elected PDP Governor, Nyesom Wike, was rekindled. That indeed was the calculation of both INEC and APC before the rerun of March 19, 2016.

To the shock of INEC, 10 out of 11 early results of election into the State House of Assembly went the way of PDP and with leads, in nearly all the remaining 21 others. Did that inform INEC’s declaration of those election inconclusive, only to over-dramatize violence, violence not worse than that in Sambisa Forest where, Jega’s INEC conducted elections in 2015?

The same signs followed elections into the three Senatorial seats, and those of 21 House of Representatives. With early favourable results and massive turn-out of Rivers people even in the face of the over militarization of the electoral preccints, it was made very clear that the APC could not win the rerun.

Sadly, after declaring the polls inconclusive, INEC did not see the urgency to conclude its work in Rivers. Meanwhile, for the purpose of the election INEC had carried-out a questionable re-posting of personnel which returned back to the State, the INEC Commissioner, who ran the state office under former Governor Amaechi in office. Did that suggest anything?

What informed that posting just days before the re-run? What special job was the Akwa Ibom Elder brought back to conclude, that he didn’t before he was transferred out of the State?

But most annoying was the reported threat by a leader of the APC that since his party was denied the governorship, he would see how Rivers will be represented in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. A case of the dog in a manger, ‘if cannot get it, nobody else should’.

True to that threat, INEC did not find any urgency in concluding elections to guarantee Rivers representation in the National Assembly. That was in spite of the fact that the PDP had swept nearly all House of Assembly, Senate and Representatives seats in the 2015 polls, but were reprieved by the Appeal Court ruling of December 11, last year.

That ruling had unseated the three Senators, all elected on the PDP platform, 12 House of Representatives members also of the PDP and a huge majority of State House of Assembly members. With the eventual re-run of March 19, 2016 producing 10 out 11 PDP seats, as many as 21 seats are yet to be filled.

That indeed was not only immoral on the part of INEC, it amounted to a grievous breach of the Constitution which emphasizes equal and adequate representation of all states in the Senate (Three each) and of the House of Representatives, according to Federal Constituencies.

The economic and socio-political denial stemming from INEC’s refusal to conduct elections in a timely fashion, as directed by the Appeal Court, is indeed huge, retrogressive and undemocratic. Yet Yakubu’s INEC felt unperturbed, even with repeated appeals and protestations by the Rivers government.

It is indeed condemnable that INEC would allow itself to be used in making Rivers a constant theatre of war, using inconclusive elections as excuse, and rather than claim failure, blames its ineptitude and obvious partisanship on security challenges.

Is not a shame that it would take the intervention of the Senate for INEC to quickly take a December 10 date for another rerun it has politicized for months, just to deny Rivers people their due? This is indeed why many are curious about what INEC hopes to achieve with the Rivers elections this time around.

Some have even asked: “If Rivers State’s governor were APC, all Senators elected were APC and all the House Assembly seats declared vacant were originally won by APC, and also enjoys the amount of support the Wike-led PDP in the State enjoys, will INEC delay any re-run even if Boko Haram were operating in the State? From the Presidential elections to the State Assembly polls, a pattern runs through, that majority of Rivers people are pro-PDP. Expanded further, the same state has also been governed by the same party since 1999 and without jerrimandering of a criminal kind, the support cannot turn APC over-night.

Besides, within his very short period in office, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, has through massive infrastructural development drive, further endeared himself and his party to the people, which makes rigging of the elections very difficult, event with battalions of armed men.

That is the reality on ground. A reality INEC seems reluctant to behold and has instead been moving against the tide by resorting to partisanship, criminal denial and delay tactics to buy time for a possible reversal of fortunes.

These are why many are uncomfortable with a Yakubu-led INEC conducting a free, fair and credible re-run. And worse still, a national election that would equal that by Prof. Jega’s INEC by half.

My Agony is that a Federal Government that assumed power on the foundation of true democracy, found no reason to call INEC to order all these days even in the face of obvious denial of justice. Instead, it took a pro-active Senate to rekindle the people’s hope for democracy, no matter discomforting the day gone had been.

If I were Prof Yakubu, with so much disapproval by the people and questions raised about my neutrality, I would disqualify myself by resigning honourably, as did members of the bench in Ondo.

Soye Wilson Jamabo

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Fubara Reads Riot Act To New SSG, CoS …Warns Against Unauthorized Meetings

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.

The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.

Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.

As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.

Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.

He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.

Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.

“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.

“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.

Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.

He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.

Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.

“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.

“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.

The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.

While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.

The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.

The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.

He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.

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Fubara Dissolves Rivers Executive Council

Published

4 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The governor announced the cabinet dissolution yesterday in a statement titled ‘Government Special Announcement’, signed by his new Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Governor Fubara directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

He thanked the outgoing members of the State Executive Council for their service and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

The three-paragraph special announcement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

“His Excellency, the Governor, has therefore directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”

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INEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations

Published

4 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the National Assembly that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, even as it seeks N171bn to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the N873.78bn election budget covers the full conduct of national polls in 2027.

An additional N171bn is needed to support INEC’s routine activities in 2026, including bye-elections and off-season elections, the commission stated.

The INEC boss said the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps seeking increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.

He explained that, although the details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the almost N1tn election budget is structured across five major components.

“N379.75bn is for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chief noted that the budget was prepared “in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.”

On the 2026 fiscal year, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of N140bn, stressing, however, that “INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn.”

The breakdown includes N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.

Amupitan also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical glitches.

Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.

He advocated that the envelope budgeting model should be set aside.

He urged the National Assembly to work with INEC’s financial proposal to avoid future instances of possible underfunding.

In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable the Commission to plan early enough for the 2027 general election.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support, warning INEC to be careful about promises it might be unable to keep.

He recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.

“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.

The N873.78bn proposed by INEC for next year’s general election is a significant increase from the N313.4bn released to the Commission by the Federal Government for the conduct of the 2023 general election.