2027 Election: ‘Only 2 From the North,’ Buhari’s Ex-Aide Shares Full List of INEC Chairmen
- Professor Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will step down in either October or November 2025 after serving the maximum two terms, totalling 10 years
- Yakubu's departure and likely successor is drawing attention because out of the 12 chairmen who have led INEC since its inception, 10 have come from the south, while only two have come from the north
- No official candidates have emerged, but speculation centres on whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu might appoint someone from his own region, the southwest, or opt for the northcentral
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Kano, Kano state - As the tenure of the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure ends later in 2025, Bashir Ahmad has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the alleged disparity in the agency's leadership.
Ahmad, a former special assistant on digital communications to late ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, September 15, pointed out of the 12 chairmen who have led INEC since its inception in 1998, "only two have come from the north."
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng reports that Yakubu was appointed in 2015 by the then President Buhari (of blessed memory) for an initial period of five years. He was re-appointed in 2020 for another five-year tenure, which ends in October/November 2025.
This means that President Tinubu needs to appoint another INEC chairman before, subject to ratification by the senate.
Against this backdrop, Ahmad shared a list containing the names of all persons that have led INEC.
He wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter):
"It is important to point out that out of the 12 chairmen who have led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since its inception, 10 have come from the South, while only two have come from the North. This stark imbalance should raise questions about equitable representation in one of Nigeria’s most critical democratic institutions."
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INEC is the electoral body which oversees elections in Nigeria. It was established in 1998 shortly before Nigeria's transition from military to civilian rule.
INEC has encountered several controversies in the run-up to elections in the country, most notably criticisms about its preparedness, alleged irregularities, and disputes over disqualification of candidates, among others.
Expert assesses Yakubu's tenure
Meanwhile, a seasoned political analyst, Segun Akinleye, said Prof. Yakubu's tenure as the INEC chairperson "will always remain a controversial one".
Speaking in an interview with Legit.ng, Akinleye stated that many Nigerians "are still yet to get over the hangover from the 2023 elections."
He told Legit.ng:
"A lot of people will remember the 2023 general elections he (Yakubu) oversaw and the irregularities that trailed the election in some states, notably Rivers. Let us not forget the off-cycle elections in some states as well.
"Moving beyond him, the ball is now in the president's court on how he wants to be remembered and what he wants to be remembered for. Truth be told, no matter how is appointed and irrespective of the person's track record, some people will not 'wholly accept' the appointee. Why? Because a lot of people are still yet to get over the hangover from the 2023 elections. So, before anyone is appointed, let us all agree that there were flaws in the last election. If we don't, no matter who is appointed, there will be grumblings and finger pointing at the end of the day."
Read more on INEC:
- Kwara: Concerns as suspected terrorists target politicians, INEC staff
- North-West leads as INEC records 72,274 physical registrations in 5 days, breakdown released
- INEC PVC pre-registration: ADC raises alarm over extraordinary registration in southwest
Concerns over 2027 election
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that there are warning signals that the 2027 election may turn out to be the worst-ever conducted in the history of Nigeria.
According to prominent Nigerian newspaper in a report, this is based on "verified pieces of information" made available by "dependable sources" within INEC.
The media platform alleged a rigging agenda by politicians who have allegedly infiltrated the system of the election management body.
Source: Legit.ng
