The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has long been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic process, tasked with ensuring fair elections. Recent commentary, notably from Lauretta Onochie, highlights a perceived shift in INEC’s operational freedom.
Onochie suggests that under former President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC exercised liberty and bravery in enforcing electoral laws, while under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, the commission appears constrained, with claims that its “hands are tied.”
This observation stems from the presence of early 2027 campaign materials in cities like Abuja and Kaduna, despite INEC’s reminders of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits campaigning more than 150 days before polling day.
Historical data supports a context of fluctuating enforcement, with a 15% rise in premature campaign activities noted between the 2019 and 2023 elections, according to INEC reports.
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The commission has acknowledged challenges in monitoring such activities, citing legal and practical limitations, as discussed in a recent Abuja roundtable led by Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
While Onochie’s view points to a potential decline in autonomy, possibly due to political dynamics, no official INEC statement confirms this directly.
The situation underscores ongoing debates about the commission’s independence, a topic that remains under scrutiny as Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles. Further analysis of INEC’s actions will be key to understanding this evolution.
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