On the Morning Show on Arise News, Dr. Suleiman Barnabas, Associate Professor of Political Criminology at Cosmopolitan University, provided a detailed assessment of Professor Mahmud Yakubu’s 10-year tenure as Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking on the program aired yesterday, Dr. Barnabas evaluated Yakubu’s performance in overseeing the 2019 and 2023 general elections, highlighting both achievements and significant shortcomings.
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Dr. Barnabas commended Professor Yakubu for introducing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s electoral process. He noted that Yakubu pushed for the digitalization of voter accreditation and other electoral processes, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and the delineation of polling constituencies to enhance voter access. Yakubu also facilitated voter registration and the distribution of voter cards, which Barnabas acknowledged as positive steps. “If you assess Professor Mahmud in the context of the reforms that he brought to INEC in terms of technology, you will give him kudos,” Barnabas said.
Despite these advancements, Dr. Barnabas emphasized that the outcomes of elections under Yakubu’s leadership fell short of expectations. He argued that the technological innovations did not translate into credible elections, stating, “All this technology that he has brought into INEC has not delivered the desired outcome in terms of ensuring that votes count.” Barnabas pointed to specific failures, such as the 2023 Kogi State election, where INEC officials announced “fictitious” and “manufactured” results in violation of the commission’s own guidelines. He stressed that INEC’s inability to adhere to its own rules eroded public confidence in the electoral process, describing Yakubu’s tenure as leaving “a very unpleasant record.”
Dr. Barnabas highlighted the influence of Nigeria’s political class as a significant challenge to INEC’s operations. He noted that the turbulent political environment, characterized by “Machiavellian activities” and “ungodly, demagogic political activities,” undermined Yakubu’s efforts. However, he held Yakubu accountable for failing to maintain INEC’s independence, stating, “The idea is independent. It must not be seen to be under the influence of the Nigerian political class.” Barnabas cited inconsistencies, such as INEC’s acceptance of substituted candidates who did not participate in primaries (e.g., Ahmed Lawal in Yobe State) while rejecting others, as evidence of partiality.
Looking ahead, Dr. Barnabas urged the incoming INEC chairman to strictly adhere to the commission’s guidelines to restore trust in the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of independence, saying, “If INEC follows its own rules in terms of the criteria that elections must meet before the winners are announced, then you will see that people will have trust in INEC.” He also called for better regulation of campaign financing, noting that under Yakubu, excessive spending went unchecked, raising concerns about elections being “for the highest bidder.”
When asked whether INEC’s issues stem from the institution or the political class, Barnabas argued that the problem lies with the individuals in charge. “Institutions are only given meaning by the people,” he said, stressing that the character, patriotism, and integrity of those in leadership roles determine INEC’s effectiveness. He criticized the lack of courage and integrity among some INEC officials, including academics and professors, who succumbed to inducements. “It doesn’t matter whether you are a professor… if your character is questionable, if you have no honesty, if your pursuit is after money, then we say that they are part of the problem,” he remarked.
Addressing the judiciary’s role in electoral disputes, Barnabas acknowledged the subjectivity in legal rulings compared to objective academic assessments. He criticized inconsistent judgments, where similar cases received different outcomes, leading to perceptions of miscarriage of justice. He noted that courts often rely on evidence presented, but public opinion and documented cases suggest judicial complicity in some instances. “We have seen situations where a person who came fourth in an election became a governor,” he said, leaving such matters to “God” as the Supreme Court’s decisions are final.
Dr. Barnabas emphasized that the next INEC chairman must possess courage, integrity, and patriotism, regardless of their background in academia or the judiciary. He cited Yakubu’s academic excellence but noted that intellectualism alone is insufficient without these qualities. “If you are a professor with books and you are not a professor with courage, you are not a professor with integrity, you’re not a professor of patriotism, we should do away with you,” he said. He also downplayed the significance of the chairman’s geopolitical zone, stating that competence and character outweigh regional considerations. While not endorsing specific candidates, he mentioned Professor Shuaib from the Southwest and Professor Josh from the North Central as examples of reputable individuals.
Dr. Barnabas concluded that Professor Mahmud Yakubu’s tenure, while marked by technological advancements, was ultimately marred by failures to deliver credible elections and maintain INEC’s independence. He urged the appointment of a courageous and principled successor to rebuild public trust and ensure that Nigeria’s electoral processes reflect the true will of the people.
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