Ejiofor urges reforms at INEC, criticizes handling of elections

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — Social professional Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, KSC, has expressed disappointment with aspects of the tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu arsenic Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for reforms to reconstruct nationalist assurance successful the electoral process.

In a property connection titled “The Mahmood Years When Democracy Caught a Cold: A Farewell to Nigeria’s Most Innovative Custodian of Chaos,” Ejiofor offered a sharply worded appraisal of Yakubu’s decennary astatine the helm of the electoral commission, framing overmuch of his critique arsenic sentiment and calling for organization improvements.

Ejiofor said helium was acrophobic that the ballot container — agelong regarded arsenic a ineffable emblem of ideology — had, successful practice, astatine times go an “experimental theatre of confusion.” He described the usage of caller technologies and procedural changes during Yakubu’s tenure arsenic having produced outcomes that, successful his view, near galore Nigerians uneasy and prompted calls for greater transparency.

Referring to the 2023 wide election, Ejiofor criticized however method issues were handled connected predetermination night, saying that disruptions successful effect transmission raised questions for observers and members of the public. “The BVAS was unveiled, IReV glorified, and Nigerians were told to spot the process,” helium said. “When method problems occurred, galore Nigerians felt their concerns were not adequately addressed.”

Ejiofor urged that wherever determination are shortcomings successful the medication of elections — whether technological, logistical, oregon communicative — they should beryllium tackled done wide reforms, improved reporting mechanisms, and stronger nationalist engagement. He stressed that enactment successful electoral absorption requires accountability and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.

The professional acknowledged the analyzable pressures that travel the medication of nationwide elections but maintained that these challenges marque it much important, not less, for electoral institutions to physique and support nationalist trust. “Leadership is measured by courageousness and a willingness to code problems transparently,” helium said.

Noting that Prof. Yakubu’s tenure formally ended connected October 7, 2025, Ejiofor called connected incoming enactment and stakeholders crossed the governmental spectrum to enactment unneurotic to fortify INEC’s processes and reconstruct assurance successful the country’s elections. He urged reforms that prioritize transparency, robust method support, and inclusive dialog with civilian nine and predetermination observers.

Ejiofor concluded by appealing for renewed committedness to electoral integrity: “May INEC regain the afloat assurance of the people. Citizens indispensable beryllium capable to spot that their votes are counted transparently and fairly.”

The station Ejiofor urges reforms astatine INEC, criticizes handling of elections appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.