Nigeria Needs Non-Partisan, Courageous INEC Chairman — Yiaga Africa

Non-profit organization YIAGA Africa has emphasized the urgent need for a non-partisan and highly principled chairman to lead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, made the call on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today, a program on Channels Television. He noted that while INEC has achieved significant reforms, electoral fraud continues to undermine these gains.

Itodo stressed that whoever succeeds the current INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, must be free from any political affiliations and possess the courage to uphold the law impartially—regardless of political pressures or interests.

“There’s a great need for the next INEC chairman and national commissioners to be individuals of impeccable character with no partisan ties whatsoever. Ideally, they should have never been members of any political party, past or present,” Itodo said.

He added, “The incoming leadership must also demonstrate the courage to resist political influence and do what is lawful, even when it means challenging powerful interests.”