The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, has warned that the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is at risk ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on ARISE News, Yusuf criticised the commission for failing to monitor the African Democratic Congress (ADC) convention despite being duly notified, describing the move as a breach of its statutory responsibilities under the Electoral Act.
“INEC, unfortunately, is presenting itself as a body of outlaws, a body that does not recognise the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He argued that while political parties are only required to give at least 21 days’ notice before conventions or congresses—a condition he said the ADC met—the law mandates INEC to attend and monitor such proceedings.
According to him, the commission’s absence amounted to a dereliction of duty.
“The electoral act requires political parties to give INEC at least 21 days notice before any convention meeting, any congresses. That is the duty imposed by law on every political party. And African Democratic Congress, my party, fulfils that statutory duty or requirement.”
Yusuf also dismissed claims that a court order stopped the convention, insisting no such directive existed. He attributed the dispute to internal disagreements within the party, particularly among some state chairmen concerned about leadership changes.
“The section you refer to says that having received such a notice, INEC shall, INEC must go and monitor the congresses, the meetings, the convention.”
“So, it is INEC that is now in default of the law.”
“But yesterday(Saturday), unfortunately, they defaulted, they neglected, they abdicated their responsibility to carry out statutory duty.”
Clarifying the situation, he said no current officials had been removed and that newly elected officers would only assume office after the expiration of existing tenures.
“There was no such order at all.”
“What they are really saying is that the congresses that have been held is designed to replace them, for instance, to shortchange them and replace them by new people.”
“Those chairmen whose tenures would expire on the 20th remain in office as far as ADC is concerned. Nobody has removed them or is removing them.”
“Congresses have been conducted, have been elected, but they will not be inaugurated or take office until the tenure of the existing people has expired.”
On the legal dimension, Yusuf maintained that courts lack jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties, citing established Supreme Court precedents.
“Courts lack jurisdiction to enquire into the internal affairs of political party.”
“The Supreme Court has established that these matters are not justiciable.”
He further accused INEC of creating unnecessary uncertainty and suggested the commission may be acting under external influence, a claim he linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We believe that the uncertainty, which has prompted your question, has been deliberately created by INEC, possibly doing the bidding of the ruling APC party and government.”
Yusuf warned that such actions could erode public trust in the electoral body and undermine confidence in future elections, especially in 2027.
“So you see that INEC has put its credibility in question.”
“If INEC can crumble, if they can succumb to pressure, even on matters as basic as this, what will happen when they are under pressure to announce a losing of an election?”
He concluded by calling on the INEC chairman to resign in the national interest, stressing that restoring credibility to the electoral process is critical to ensuring the legitimacy of 2027 election outcomes.
“I want to seriously also add my voice in advising the chairman of INEC, in the interest of Nigeria, to bow out quietly.”
“The fate of 250 or so million Nigerians is more than his personal interest in remaining on that seat.”
“What will it profit him… if Nigerians do not accept the results of the election because the whole process has been compromised or seen to lack integrity and credibility.”
Sun
