CSOs call for INEC chairman’s removal, electoral body’s reform

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of widespread manipulation in Edo State’s September 21 governorship election, calling for the immediate dismissal of INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The coalition, made up of INEC-accredited observer groups, issued a scathing statement at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday – same day the winner of the Edo governorship election Monday Okpebholo was sworn in as governor. The CSOs asserted that the electoral commission had failed to uphold democratic values, with alleged collusion between election officials and security forces to skew results.

READ MORE: Tinubu’s aide rubbishes ‘CIA asset’ claim

Victor Kalu, Convener of the coalition and head of the Centre for Development and Transformation Initiative, revealed what he described as “incontrovertible evidence” of tampering with results, including certified documents from INEC itself.

“Our findings show that the election results announced by INEC were far from a free and transparent process,” said Kalu. “We are alarmed by this blatant disregard for electoral laws. If left unaddressed, this sets a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy itself in Nigeria. While we cannot speak to the details of the election petition in Edo as it is now sub judice, we appeal to the Judiciary to remember that they are the last hope not just of the common man, but of our democracy. Justice must be seen to have been done in Edo.”

The coalition urged the Nigerian judiciary to take swift action, pressing the courts to thoroughly examine what they call a “charade” in Edo. Members of the coalition say they are mobilizing to ensure public oversight of the judicial process, shielding it from political interference, and are calling for the alleged perpetrators of election fraud to face accountability under the law.

READ MORE: Oil cabals don’t want Dangote refinery to work – Adeboye

At the heart of the coalition’s demands is the immediate dismissal of INEC Chairman Yakubu. Citing his failure to restore public trust in the electoral process, they called on President Bola Tinubu to act decisively.

“INEC has repeatedly shown itself incapable of conducting free and credible elections,” said Friday Emeh of the Global Development Center for Rescue Mission. “President Tinubu, who fought to defend democracy during his NADECO years, understands how a lack of confidence in the electoral system threatens the very democracy he once championed.”

The coalition is also pushing for reforms to secure INEC’s independence. They recommend that future nominations for INEC Chairman and National Commissioners be proposed by the National Judicial Council, ratified by the National Council of State, and confirmed by the Senate. Structural changes, based on the Uwais Panel Report, are also recommended to ensure INEC’s financial and operational autonomy, with transparency reinforced at the polling unit level.

READ MORE: Nigerian sentenced to 10 years for $20m cyber fraud targeting 400 Americans

Among their key recommendations is the expanded use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, which transmit results directly from polling units, establishing BVAS data as the official record. By addressing manipulation points at central collation centers, the coalition aims to curb interference.

The coalition warns that failing to rectify the alleged fraud in Edo could further erode Nigerians’ trust in the electoral process. They cautioned that, as public confidence diminishes, disenfranchised voters may increasingly turn to “self-help,” a potential path toward instability that mirrors recent unrest across West Africa.

“In every election cycle, we witness repeated violations of the people’s trust,” said Rasheed Shuibu of the Northern Socio-Cultural Development Initiative. “The judiciary has an opportunity to restore the people’s faith in democracy.”

READ MORE: US jails four Nigerians over international romance scam

Representing a wide range of civil society organizations, from youth and women’s groups to regional advocacy entities, the coalition includes Peter Nwokolo of the Citizen Rights and Leadership Awareness Initiative, Ali Abacha of the Northern Patriotic Front, and Martha James of the Great Light Women Empowerment Initiative. These groups vow to maintain pressure on INEC and the judiciary, urging them to uphold accountability and transparency.

“As civil society, we are here to strengthen democratic values,” said Martha James. “We want to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens are protected, not trampled upon by electoral malfeasance.”