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Former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, has openly acknowledged that his decade-long leadership of the electoral body was defined by persistent crises. Serving from 2015 to 2025, Yakubu stated that these challenges repeatedly threatened the integrity of Nigeria’s elections. He made these admissions in the commission’s latest publication, “Election Management in Nigeria: 2015–2025.”
A Decade of Legal and Violent Hurdles
Yakubu painted a sobering picture of the obstacles faced. The commission was entangled in thousands of court cases, often receiving conflicting orders from different courts. This legal confusion severely disrupted election preparations. Beyond the courtrooms, violent attacks specifically targeted INEC staff and facilities. These coordinated assaults further destabilized the electoral process and endangered personnel.
Persistent Problems Undermined Credibility
The former INEC boss also highlighted other deep-rooted issues. The scourge of vote trading, where citizens sell their votes, remained a major problem. Persistent logistical failures led to nationwide election postponements, eroding public trust. Technical glitches, including equipment breakdowns and network failures, sometimes crippled voter accreditation and delayed result transmission. Yakubu stated that these recurring issues continuously tested the credibility and smooth conduct of elections under his watch.
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