Political activist and civil society leader Usman Bugaje has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lost credibility in performing its duties.
Bugaje made the statement on Monday, during an interview on Arise Television.
“I think everyone is aware that INEC has lost a lot of credibility and it is very important that the institution gains this credibility, otherwise the stability of the country is going to be threatened,” he said.
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Bugaje stressed that the failure of INEC could erode public confidence not only in the commission but also in democracy itself.
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“When you have institutions that are not delivering, especially a key institution like INEC, and if this failure continues, it will erode not only confidence in INEC but confidence in democracy itself,” he added.
“And when that happens, you know the consequences,” he continued.
Bugaje highlighted pending reforms that could strengthen INEC’s operations. “I think there are amendments that the whole country is waiting for.
“That amendment I think late former president Muhammadu Buhari refused to assent to, which mandates INEC to use electronic tools and technology in delivering results, is still pending,” he noted.
He also questioned the process of appointing the INEC leadership. “Most importantly, why should the president, or whoever is the president of the country, be the one to propose who is the head of INEC?” Bugaje asked.
He referred to recommendations by the late Uwais committee, which he claimed have been blocked by individuals with interests in manipulating the electoral body.
“The late Uwais committee made very good recommendations, which have been blocked by those who are interested in manipulating INEC,” he said.
