Governor Fubara Siminalayi has accused INEC of selective enforcement of constitutional provisions on political defections, questioning its neutrality. Read more on the controversy surrounding Rivers State lawmakers.
Rivers State – Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has cast doubt on the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. He criticized the electoral body for its alleged selective enforcement of constitutional provisions regarding political defections.
Governor Fubara
His Excellency’s concerns were voiced on Thursday at the sixth annual Freedom Online lecture, themed “Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, the Leaders or the Led?” The event, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, attracted political stakeholders, scholars, and media executives.
The governor, represented by former Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, lamented that INEC had failed to uphold the constitutional requirement that mandates lawmakers who defect from their party to lose their seats.
Governor Fubara’s comments come amid the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, where 27 lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). These lawmakers, aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, switched parties in 2023, deepening the rift between Wike and Fubara.
With the Assembly now divided, a faction of lawmakers loyal to Fubara had called on INEC to conduct by-elections to fill the defectors’ seats. However, INEC declined, citing ongoing court proceedings. “When institutions fail to do the needful, the rule of law is weakened, and democracy suffers.”
He argued that INEC’s reluctance to enforce the law had fueled political instability and raised concerns about its impartiality.
Gani Adams Calls for INEC Chairman’s Removal
Also speaking at the event, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, demanded the immediate removal of INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Adams accused Yakubu of presiding over two general elections plagued by irregularities, warning that his continued leadership could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
“We need a drastic approach to reform our electoral system. If we want credible elections in this country, Nigerians must call for the immediate removal of the incumbent INEC chairman.”
He further argued that allowing Yakubu to conduct a third consecutive presidential election would be unprecedented and suggested an ulterior political motive behind it.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Olabode George, addressed the lingering debate over General Ibrahim Babangida’s admission of an error in annulling the June 12, 1993, election.
George urged Nigerians to move past the controversy and allow political scholars to analyze Babangida’s account objectively.
“Since June 12, 1993, multiple leaders have emerged through elections, yet Nigeria has not achieved the progress we hoped for.”
Speakers Criticize Money Politics, Call for Electoral Reforms
Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde emphasized that the fundamental issue in Nigerian politics is the monetization of elections. He argued that politicians feel indifferent to governance because they rely on vote-buying to win elections.
Former Lagos Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele echoed this sentiment, asserting that both INEC and the judiciary had been compromised. She stressed the need to reduce the influence of money in governance to ensure transparency.
Similarly, former Minister of Police Affairs Omoniyi Olubolade urged political leaders to prioritize good governance for posterity and national respect.
“Nigerians must speak out against incompetent leadership. We need sincerity, transparency, and a genuine fight against corruption.”
Calls for Political and Judicial Reforms Intensify
The Managing Director of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, set the stage for discussions by underscoring the urgent need for political and judicial reforms in Nigeria.
Other notable speakers at the event included:
Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel
2023 SDP Presidential Candidate, Adewole Adebayo
Nigerian Guild of Editors President, Eze Anaba
Guild of Corporate Online Publishers President, Maureen Chigbo
Past NGE President, Mustapha Isah
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Their collective insights painted a picture of a flawed electoral system in need of urgent intervention to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process.
The controversy surrounding INEC’s neutrality in political defections continues to fuel debates on Nigeria’s electoral integrity. Governor Fubara’s criticisms, coupled with calls for Yakubu’s removal, highlight growing distrust in the system.
As Nigeria approaches future elections, the question remains: Can INEC regain public confidence, or will electoral reforms become inevitable?
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