Political activist and civil society leader, Usman Bugaje, has warned that Nigeria’s stability is at risk if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to regain public credibility. Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, Bugaje stated that the electoral body has lost the trust of the populace and that the country is eagerly awaiting amendments to the electoral system.
According to Bugaje, the failure of a key institution like INEC to deliver credible elections could not only erode confidence in the commission but also in democracy itself, leading to serious consequences for national stability.
Bugaje highlighted that a pending amendment to the electoral law—which would mandate the use of electronic tools and technology in delivering results—is still awaited. He noted that the amendment had been previously withheld from assent by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also raised concerns about the process of appointing the head of INEC, questioning why the president of the country should have the authority to make such a nomination. He pointed to the recommendations of the late Uwais committee, which were designed to prevent the manipulation of INEC, and lamented that these recommendations have been consistently blocked by those with a vested interest in controlling the commission
