Elections are the heartbeat of democracy in any country, and Nigeria is no exception. The people choose leaders who will govern and make important decisions that affect everyone’s lives. But for elections to work properly, they must be free, fair, and trusted by everyone. This means the group in charge of elections the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be neutral and fair to all political parties and candidates. They are supposed to be the honest referee in the game of politics.
Unfortunately, recent events have raised serious questions about the integrity of INEC’s leadership, especially the chairperson Josiah Amupitan. It has come to light that the INEC chair has shown strong support for the ruling party, APC, and its president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Twitter. These past tweets reveal a clear bias and make many Nigerians uneasy. This is especially worrying because people expect the head of Nigeria’s election body to be completely neutral. They should not be taking sides or appearing to influence the election outcome.
Showing political bias openly threatens the trust people have in the election process. When the person in charge of running elections favors one party, it makes the process seem unfair. Citizens worry that the election is not free or credible, and that their votes might not actually count. This kind of suspicion can discourage people from voting or lead to unrest after the results are announced.
More concerning is another recent decision by INEC under the chair’s leadership: The removal of ADC’s leadership, comprising national chairman David Mark and national secretary Rauf Aregbesola, based on a misinterpretation of the court’s status quo and without following proper legal procedures, sends a troubling message that INEC may be interfering in political party affairs in a way that benefits the ruling party. This is not only unfair but also dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy because it weakens opposition voices. Healthy democracies depend on a strong opposition to hold those in power accountable. When the opposition is undermined through unjust actions, democracy suffers, and the people ultimately lose out.
It is important to remember that the job of INEC’s chairperson is to ensure elections are conducted smoothly, fairly, and transparently. Showing support for one party on social media makes it seem like INEC is no longer an impartial umpire but is taking sides. When this happens, it encourages election officials and others who work with INEC to also show bias, which can influence the entire election process. For example, votes can be manipulated, or opposition campaigns could be hindered unfairly.
Nigerians deserve election leaders who respect the rules and maintain neutrality. The INEC chair is a public servant entrusted with upholding the democratic process, not advancing political agendas. When the chairperson openly supports a political party or candidate, it breaks the public’s trust. This trust is the foundation on which confident, peaceful elections are built.
The consequences of losing trust in INEC are serious. Without faith in the election body, people may refuse to accept election results, which can lead to protests, violence, or political instability. It also damages Nigeria’s image internationally and wastes the hopes of millions who want to see peaceful changes of power.
To fix this situation, several actions need to happen. First, there should be a full and transparent investigation into INEC’s leadership conduct, especially regarding the biased tweets and the unlawful removal of ADC leadership. If the chairperson or any officials are found guilty of bias or abuse of power, they must face consequences. Secondly, INEC must recommit to strict neutrality and ensure all staff are trained and reminded about their duties to be fair and impartial. Lastly, laws governing INEC’s powers should be reviewed and strengthened to prevent any future abuses by election officials.
Democracy is about giving every Nigerian a fair chance to decide who leads them. This only works if the election is open and honest, and if INEC stays out of politics. The recent exposure of bias and questionable decisions harms Nigeria’s democracy and undermines the country’s future. Nigerians deserve better. They deserve to believe that their votes count and that election managers are truly neutral.
If the INEC chairperson has integrity, he should consider resigning. Let’s hope that INEC takes these concerns seriously and works hard to earn back the trust of Nigerians. Only then can Nigeria hold elections that are truly free, fair, and credible for everyone.
Nkiruka Nistoran is online publisher of NN News Media
