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The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to consolidate on the gains and reforms achieved under the immediate past Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. They emphasised that sustaining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process requires the collective commitment of political parties, the judiciary, security agencies, and citizens. Speaking at a colloquium organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in Abuja, the Deputy National Chairman of IPAC, Hon. Dino Olayoku, described the conduct of elections in Nigeria as one of the most complex national responsibilities, noting that the problem goes beyond the electoral body itself. “Conducting elections in Nigeria is no easy task,” Olayoku said. “Many Nigerians still believe that once they take part in an election, they must win. We all remember the ‘do-or-die’ politics of 2007. That mindset remains one of the biggest challenges facing our democracy.” He commended Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for introducing technology-driven reforms that have improved transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system. “Through the use of technology, Professor Yakubu made our elections more credible and acceptable. His innovations have brought a new level of transparency to Nigeria’s electoral process,” he stated. Olayoku, however, lamented that the absence of accountability for electoral offences continues to undermine progress. “When wrongdoing goes unpunished, even reform-minded leaders can only do so much,” he warned. “Every stakeholder must take responsibility for strengthening our electoral culture.” Echoing similar sentiments, the Executive Director of the Pioneering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Nigeria (PAACA), Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, said Prof. Yakubu’s tenure marked a period of remarkable innovation. He highlighted the digitisation of electoral processes, particularly the electronic transmission of results via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as a transformative step that promoted greater transparency. “Though it was not perfect, it was a step in the right direction,” Nwagwu said. “The INEC candidate nomination portal was another innovation that helped end the culture of politicians disturbing or attempting to influence INEC officials. It brought sanity and contributed significantly to the advancement of our electoral process. Continuous voter registration was also a major reform that must be sustained.” In his keynote address, Professor of Political Institutions, Governance, and Public Policy at the University of Ibadan, Emmanuel Aiyede, stressed that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections. He argued that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on institutional integrity and civic responsibility. “Democracy cannot rely on technology alone,” Aiyede said. “The future of Nigeria’s elections will depend on institutional cooperation and civic responsibility. Political parties must internalise democratic norms, the judiciary must uphold electoral justice with courage, security agencies must act with impartiality, and citizens must continue to defend the sanctity of the vote. INEC, for its part, must remain a custodian that is firm, fair, and forward-looking, committed to serving not governments or parties, but the Nigerian people.” He further described Yakubu’s decade-long leadership as “a rehearsal for the future,” urging the new INEC leadership to strengthen local elections, deepen voter participation, improve result management, and institutionalise post-election accountability. “His leadership has shown that credible elections are not miracles of circumstance but outcomes of discipline: discipline in law, in process, and in principle,” Aiyede said. “The Commission he leaves behind is not perfect, but it is purposeful; not without critics, but undeniably credible in its evolution.” The Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, said the colloquium was organised not only to celebrate Yakubu’s achievements but to reflect on lessons learned and chart a way forward. She noted that INEC recorded significant gains through innovations such as the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic result transmission, improved logistics, and stronger stakeholder engagement. “INEC institutionalised continuous voter registration, expanded stakeholder consultations, and strengthened its internal systems,” she said. “Importantly, Prof. Yakubu opened INEC’s doors wider to civil society, media, and other groups, and prioritised transparency in election management. He was also gender-sensitive, creating the first crèche at the INEC headquarters to support nursing mothers at work.” Nwadishi, however, expressed concern over persistent challenges such as insecurity, vote-buying, voter intimidation, and apathy, which continue to threaten the credibility of elections. “These challenges remind us that innovation alone is not enough,” she cautioned. “Our collective commitment, institutional reform, and political will must match our technological advancements.” She called for continued reflection and collaboration among stakeholders. “As we reflect on the past ten years, let us do so with honesty, courage, and purpose. Let today’s conversation be open and engaging. Let us question, recommend, and commit because the strength of our democracy depends on what we do with the lessons before us.” The colloquium, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Reflections on a Decade of INEC Leadership,” brought together political leaders, academics, and civil society actors, who agreed that consolidating on the institutional and technological foundations laid under Mahmood Yakubu’s leadership is key to building a more credible, transparent, and resilient electoral system in Nigeria. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
