Nigeria’s political landscape is heating up as the tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is set to expire in November 2025, marking the completion of his constitutionally permitted two terms.
Investigations by Vanguard revealed that President Bola Tinubu has yet to make a decision on Yakubu’s successor, even as political maneuvering and lobbying intensify behind the scenes.
According to sources, powerful political interests are already floating names of potential candidates they believe will serve their agenda in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. Some of the individuals being pushed forward are former National Commissioners or Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), but their integrity and track records have been called into question.
The succession struggle is rekindling memories of Nigeria’s controversial elections in 2003 and 2007, widely condemned for irregularities. The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua famously admitted that the 2007 elections that brought him to power were deeply flawed.
Analysts warn that if the selection process is hijacked by political lobbyists, Nigeria could be heading for a repeat of past electoral crises.
The unfolding situation also mirrors the 2015 succession drama that followed the exit of reformist INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega. At the time, Jega handed over to National Commissioner Ambassador (Dr.) Ahmed Wali in line with seniority. But within 24 hours, then-President Muhammadu Buhari bypassed Wali and controversially appointed Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, a relative, sparking accusations of nepotism and credibility questions for the commission.
INEC only regained some stability months later when Buhari named Professor Mahmood Yakubu as substantive chairman on October 21, 2015, after weeks of intense lobbying and power play.
With Yakubu’s exit now looming, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether history will repeat itself — or if a credible, independent successor will emerge to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 elections.
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