INEC Under Fire: Fubara Challenges Commission’s Neutrality Amid Rivers Assembly Turmoil

Speaking as a special guest at the sixth annual Freedom Online lecture, themed ‘Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, the Leaders or the Led?’, Fubara criticized INEC for applying the law selectively, particularly concerning lawmakers who switch parties after being elected.

“The constitution clearly states that lawmakers who defect from the party under which they were elected should lose their seats. However, INEC has failed to uphold this provision, raising concerns about its neutrality,” Fubara stated through his representative, former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru.

He further warned that when institutions neglect their responsibilities, the rule of law weakens, ultimately threatening democracy.

Fubara’s remarks come amid ongoing controversy surrounding 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023. The defectors, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, switched allegiance at the height of the political rift between Wike and Fubara, leading to a factional split in the Assembly.

Despite calls for INEC to conduct by-elections to replace the defectors, the commission has maintained that the matter remains sub judice.

Aare Gani Adams Demands INEC Chairman’s Removal

Meanwhile, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has called for the immediate removal of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, emphasizing the need for urgent electoral reforms.

Adams accused Yakubu of overseeing two flawed general elections and insisted that his continued leadership only serves the interests of politicians who manipulate the electoral process.

“For credible elections in Nigeria, we must demand the immediate removal of the current INEC chairman. I have no confidence in his ability to deliver fair elections,” Adams asserted.

He also pointed out that it is unprecedented for an INEC chairman to oversee three presidential elections, suggesting that his extended tenure might be serving ulterior political motives.