New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chieftain, Buba Galadima, has raised serious concerns over governance, the rule of law, and the integrity of elections in Nigeria, warning that an alleged move by the federal government to appoint a controversial retired judge as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could plunge the country into crisis.
Galadima, while speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Monday, alleged that the government was considering installing a retired Court of Appeal judge with a questionable reputation to head the electoral body.
“Come November, there are rumours all over the place that this government is nominating a just retired court of appeals judge who is known for notoriety to be the chairman of INEC. I wish it is not true.
“Because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war in this country,” he said.
The NNPP stalwart also accused the current administration of having no regard for the rule of law, stating: “So you can see that this government has no respect for the rule of law. And we cannot be in a country where the government does not respect the law.”
He extended his criticism to the current leadership of INEC, alleging that the electoral body has already been compromised in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him: “The INEC chairman has already rigged the election for APC. They brought somebody that is the secretary of the party that went to court for APC as acting national chairman, and he was rewarded with chairman of INEC.”
Galadima argued that such developments pose a direct threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system and warned of dire consequences if the alleged plan goes forward.
“If this man is appointed INEC chairman, then forget about elections in Nigeria. Because there would be no elections in this country, and it will create chaos,” he warned.
Calling for vigilance among Nigerians, he stressed that the nation cannot afford to allow individuals with tainted records to oversee its democratic processes.
“We cannot allow somebody that has a record of notoriety to be imposed on us as INEC chairman,” he declared.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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