The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has raised concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, asserting that any individual aspiring to the presidency in 2027 without addressing the shortcomings of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not serious about their ambitions.
Amadi’s remarks followed the declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election by INEC.
He expressed his views on X, stating, “Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027 and not thinking of disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious.”
The statement resonates with the sentiments expressed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has rejected the results of the Edo election.
Tony Iyoha, the PDP’s state collation agent, alleged that results from the Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha local councils were deliberately delayed in manipulating the final figures.
Amadi, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), had emphasized at a time that the ongoing issues within INEC must be addressed for a fair electoral process.
He criticized both Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party for failing to take action to reform the structures and culture surrounding election management.