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Who Will Be The Next INEC Chairman, After Yakubu?

Moreover, some schools of thought said that President Tinubu’s political experience is enough to guide him in appointing a competent and unbiased Nigerian to head the commission.

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“In his first public appearance since the rumours emerged, Yakubu formally informed the ECOWAS Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC because his tenure ends later this year.”

Who Will Be The Next INEC Chairman, after Yakubu? And will he come from the North, South, West or the East region of the country?

Ohibaba.com reports that since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, twelve people  have served as the INEC Chairman which first existed as Federal Electoral Commission ( FEDECO) , and now INEC – Independent National Electoral Commission.

List of INEC Chairman 1960 to 2025

1. Eyo Esua (1964–1966),

2. Michael Ani (1976–1979),

3. Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983),

4.  Eme Awa (1987–1989),

5. Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993),

6. Okon Uya (1993, June-November)

7. Professor Okon,  Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998),

8. Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000),

9. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005)

10., Maurice Iwu (2005–2010),

11.Attahiru Jega (2010–2015),

12. Mahmood Yakubu (2015-present).

According to a report by the Guardian, the outgoing Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday bade farewell to colleagues on the continent amid his call for a stronger regional collaboration among election management bodies in West Africa.

Yakubu, who had earlier been rumoured to have been removed from office by President Bola Tinubu, attended the extraordinary general assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, Gambia.

He had earlier dispelled claims of his removal when, on Tuesday, he presided over the commission’s weekly management meeting in Abuja.

The rumour mill on Wednesday went on overdrive when leaders of the opposition Labour Party (LP) led a delegation to the INEC office but were received by an acting chairman, Sam Olumekun.Yakubu’s absence had raised concerns, but Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, explained that National Commissioner Olumekun was the INEC acting chairman at the moment, as Yakubu had travelled to the Gambia to attend the ECONEC meeting.

In his first public appearance since the rumours emerged, Yakubu formally informed the ECOWAS Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC because his tenure ends later this year.

Yakubu told his fellow electoral commissioners, who previously served as president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, to strengthening democratic institutions in their home countries and across Africa.

Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule in 2017. Sadly, he observed, that was no longer the case.

He regretted that today, four countries in the region are no longer practising democracy. Yakubu, however, was optimistic and expressed the hope that democracy would soon return to the affected nations.As his tenure nears its end, intrigues are playing out among political, regional and other stakeholders on how to prevail over President Tinubu to determine and influence whom and the region where the next INEC boss should come from.

While a section of the north is already agitating that President Tinubu should be fair and transparent enough to look elsewhere apart from the Southwest to pick Yakubu’s replacement

Others said the National Assembly should expedite that aspect of the constitutional amendment that deals with the appointment of INEC Chairman, with the view that the solely prerogative of appointing the commission’s chairman must be taken away from Mr President and becomes a democratic process.

Moreover, some schools of thought said that President Tinubu’s political experience is enough to guide him in appointing a competent and unbiased Nigerian to head the commission.

They said that as much as former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Yakubu through his prerogative power, the incumbent President should not be blackmailed as to whom he wishes to appoint.

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Politics

2027 polls: 50% Nigerians lack confidence in INEC — GoNigeria

GoNigeria is convened by Mr Atedo Peterside and 24 others Nigerians.

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A public opinion survey conducted by GoNigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, revealed that less than 50 percent of Nigerians have no confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

GoNigeria is convened by Mr Atedo Peterside and 24 others Nigerians.

In a statement titled ‘Electoral reform and the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic future’, GoNigeria emphasised that electoral reforms, judicial reforms and freedom of speech, among others, are critical for Nigeria’s democracy.

According to the organisation, four pillars are critical for Nigeria’s democracy: electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and the security of life and property.

” These pillars are the practical guardrails required for a democracy that is durable and productive.

Among these pillars, electoral reform is foundational. Elections do not simply select leaders; they determine whether power is accepted as legitimate, whetherpower is accepted as legitimate, whether institutions are trusted, and whether governance will be effective. Where elections are credible, authority is strengthened.

“This understanding was clearly articulated by the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee, whose recommendations emphasised independence of the electoral body, transparency, credible dispute resolution, and firm enforcement of electoral rules.

Subsequent reforms centered on the adoption of digital tools, including biometric voter registration, Permanent Voters’ Cards, and electronic accreditation.

These innovations reflected institutional intent and public demand: technology as a guardrail against manipulation and a basis for public confidence.

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2027: Labour Party sets May 23 for presidential primaries

The communique, which was made public on Wednesday, stated that the party will submit its membership register to INEC on April 15th, 2026, while governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries will be held on Friday, May 15th, 2026.

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The Labour Party (LP) has set 23 May 2026, for its presidential primaries.

This was contained in a communique issued after a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held and observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The communique, which was made public on Wednesday, stated that the party will submit its membership register to INEC on April 15th, 2026, while governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries will be held on Friday, May 15th, 2026.

The party’s NEC also expressed satisfaction and ratified the actions of the National Leadership of the Party under the direction of Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwochocha regarding the conduct of Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses scheduled for March 26, 28, and 31, 2026, respectively, as well as the National Convention slated for April 11, 2026.

The party’s NEC, which is the highest decision-making organ of the party after the National Convention, equally reviewed recent developments within the party.

Developments reviewed included the recent invasion of the Party Secretariat by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by “certain rogue elements”.

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2027: Tinubu orders political appointees seeking elective offices to resign by March 31

These include “Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants to the President…

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President Bola Tinubu has directed all political appointees serving in his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026.

The presidential mandate, which targets ministers, heads of agencies and aides, is aimed at ensuring strict adherence to the country’s legal framework and maintaining the integrity of the upcoming electoral cycle.

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , referenced the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries.

The circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and released by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, clarifies that the resignation requirement applies to a broad spectrum of officials.

These include “Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants to the President.

”The order further extends to “all Directors-General and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies,” as well as any other political appointees seeking nomination for elective office.

President Tinubu emphasized that the measure is a necessary step to “ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.”

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