The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has firmly rejected former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent call for the removal of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Obasanjo made the statement during the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University. Ohanaeze described the demand as baseless, politically driven, and detrimental to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
In a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the group criticized Obasanjo’s track record on electoral matters, noting that the elections conducted during his administration in 2003 and 2007 remain infamous for widespread irregularities. They argued that Obasanjo’s legacy of electoral malpractice discredits his current stance on INEC leadership.
Ohanaeze emphasized that Professor Mahmood Yakubu has introduced significant reforms to the electoral system, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV). These innovations have strengthened transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. The organization commended Yakubu’s leadership and advocated for his tenure to run its course, ending in 2025, to ensure the continuity of reforms.
The group also highlighted the need for national focus on building a robust electoral system. They urged stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly, to prioritize INEC’s long-term development over divisive calls for leadership changes.
Reiterating their commitment to electoral integrity, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for collaboration among patriotic Nigerians to advance meaningful reforms, transcend partisan politics, and strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.