Safeguard Nigeria’s Electoral Integrity, Tinubu Urges New INEC Chair
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the highest standards of transparency, impartiality, and accountability in the conduct of future elections.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during the official inauguration ceremony of the new electoral chief, President Tinubu emphasized that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on public confidence in the electoral process.
“The integrity of our elections is the foundation of our democracy. I urge you to safeguard it with courage, fairness, and a deep sense of responsibility,” Tinubu said.
The President commended the outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for his service, stating that while his tenure was not without challenges, it provided valuable lessons for electoral reform. He urged the new leadership to build on past experiences to deliver more credible, technology-driven elections.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions, noting that INEC must remain independent and free from political influence.
“INEC must be a neutral umpire — not a participant in the political contest. Nigerians must be able to trust the system to reflect their will,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, the new INEC Chair pledged to work with all stakeholders — including political parties, civil society groups, and security agencies — to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process becomes a model for Africa.
He also promised to expand the use of biometric voter accreditation and real-time result transmission, improve logistics, and tackle vote-buying through collaboration with anti-corruption agencies.
Observers say Tinubu’s remarks come at a crucial time when calls for electoral reforms are intensifying, especially ahead of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections.
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