Malam Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is championing the cause of absolute autonomy for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting its importance in fortifying the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Gabam conveyed this message in Abuja on Sunday during his conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Encouraging adherence to the law, he appeals to the executive, judiciary, and legislature to collectively bolster the country’s electoral procedures.
Pointing to the commission’s achievements, he asserted that it demonstrated a high level of competence in managing the 2023 general election and off-cycle elections, particularly shining in the area of logistical efficiency.
However, Gabam pointedly remarked that the considerable influence of the executive remains a challenge affecting INEC’s performance.
‘Let me tell you the honest truth INEC is not independent. A lot of people do not understand it when I raise these issues.’
‘There is nothing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu can do. He is completely handicapped in conducting elections.’
‘What he can do is to produce election materials, deliver them to every state and polling unit, deploy INEC or ad hoc staff to supervise the election?’ Gabam said.
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He said that by law, the executive, under Mr President, was responsible for appointing INEC chairman, national commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
Adding to his remarks, he pointed out that the executive bears the dual responsibility of funding INEC and ensuring the creation of a conducive environment crucial for logistics deployment and the successful conduct of elections.
‘If the environment is not conducive, INEC cannot deploy election materials. It is in the law. Every deployment of every security officer is under the approval of Mr President.’
‘Who is responsible for securing the environment it is the executive. Who is the person for escorting INEC materials? It is the executive. So, where is the independent of INEC to fully control the election?’
‘Naturally, people don’t look at critical issues. They go after the person who is at the helm of affairs in INEC.’
‘But, if we are to tell ourselves the truth, there’s no independent INEC. It is the executive and INEC that conduct election in Nigeria,’ he said.
Gabam insisted that the path to true independence for INEC involves withdrawing the president’s power to appoint both the Chairman and commissioners.
Further elaborating, he stressed that bolstering INEC as a democratic institution requires not only the neutrality of security personnel but also the backing of all stakeholders.
‘If you continue to weaken the system, we’ll continue to be victims of the system.’
‘We are the one weakening the system- politicians, security agencies, including the media that are under report issues. That is why we are where we are today.’
‘Unless we agree that we have a nation, and that we have to work for that nation. The institutions of nations must be strong and be above any parochial interest.’
‘The executive must resist themselves from interfering in INEC’s elections. The power to appoint any chairman and RECs must be off the executive. That is the only way to have free, fair and credible elections,’ he said.