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INEC’S NEW REFEREE AND THE POLITICS OF POWER IN NIGERIA By Prince Adeyemi Aseperi-Shonibare
The clock of Nigeria’s democracy has struck again, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With the expiration of his second and final term, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally exited the stage as Nigeria’s electoral umpire—closing a defining chapter in the nation’s democratic evolution.
Appointed in November 2015 as the 14th Chairman of INEC and reappointed in 2020, Professor Yakubu’s tenure has been one of transformation. Through his decade-long stewardship, he institutionalized technology-driven transparency, strengthened administrative independence, and delivered three consecutive general elections—2015, 2019, and 2023—amid political complexity and citizen skepticism.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while accepting Yakubu’s departure, commended his steadfastness and commitment to credible elections, describing him as “a patriot who held the line for democracy.” In recognition of his service, the President conferred on him the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
With his exit, the mantle of leadership now rests on Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, who assumes office as Acting INEC Chairman pending the appointment and Senate confirmation of a substantive successor. Her assumption of duty is not only historic but symbolic—she becomes the first woman since independence to lead Nigeria’s electoral body, even in acting capacity. Should President Tinubu confirm her, she would become the first substantive female INEC Chairman in Nigeria’s democratic history.
A lawyer and publisher by profession, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu has long been known for her administrative clarity and sense of justice. Called to the bar in 1987, she brings to the position a blend of legal precision and public service ethos. Her appointment aligns with President Tinubu’s progressive inclusiveness, reflecting his belief that women, when empowered, bring balance and integrity to governance.
THE LAW AND THE PROCESS
Under Section 154(1) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the power to appoint the Chairman of INEC, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Council of State, composed of sitting and former leaders including Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and all serving governors, provides advisory counsel.
To qualify as INEC Chairman, one must be non-partisan, a person of unquestionable integrity, and knowledgeable in law, public administration, or political science. Once appointed, the Chairman oversees twelve National Commissioners and thirty-seven Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the federation—forming a multi-tiered structure that ensures checks, transparency, and accountability.
Thus, while the President appoints, he cannot control the INEC Chairman. The Commission’s independence is constitutionally guaranteed, and the diversity of its members acts as an institutional firewall against executive interference.
HOW RESULTS FLOW
Elections in Nigeria are a bottom-up process, not top-down manipulation. Votes are cast and counted at polling units, witnessed by agents of all parties, and recorded on Form EC8A, which must be signed by all party agents. These results move sequentially: from polling unit → ward collation → local government collation → state collation → national center.
The INEC Chairman merely declares results already collated, verified, and endorsed by independent returning officers—mostly university dons and NYSC corps members, recruited on temporary basis as ad-hoc staff. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the IReV portal, both implemented during President Muhammadu Buhari’s reforms, have rendered election rigging a logistical nightmare.
Gone are the days when ballots were snatched or results written in hotel rooms. As one election observer remarked, “Any chairman who wishes to rig an election under BVAS must be omnipresent, for every unit is now a fortress of accountability.”
THE POLITICAL EVOLUTION AND LESSONS
From the days of PDP’s dominance—when votes were conjured in millions—to today’s keenly contested elections, the progress is evident. It was under President Buhari that scandalous figures of 15–20 million votes per region gave way to realistic numbers below 9 million nationwide. The All Progressives Congress (APC), through meticulous pre-election strategy, digital monitoring, and legal assertiveness, transformed Nigeria’s political consciousness.
In 2007, when rigging was weaponized under President Obasanjo, it took forensic battles and legal discipline for APC’s progenitors to reclaim Osun, Edo, Ondo, and Ekiti States. The lesson was clear: democracy rewards those who prepare, not those who complain.
President Tinubu’s political machinery is scientific and methodical—driven by data, human intelligence, and ground mobilization. Behind every election are disciplined thinkers like Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who oversee strategic situation rooms and escalation protocols. APC’s electoral success lies not in noise, but in organization, timing, and structure.
THE HISTORICAL LINEAGE OF INEC CHAIRMEN (1958–2025)
1. Eyo Esua (1958–1966) – Teacher and pioneer chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission.
2. Michael Ani (1976–1979) – Civil servant; conducted the 1979 elections.
3. Justice Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983) – Judge; oversaw the 1983 general elections.
4. Professor Eme Awa (1987–1989) – Political scientist; academic reformer.
5. Professor Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993) – Political scientist; conducted the historic June 12 election.
6. Professor Okon Uya (1993) – Historian; acting chairman post-June 12 crisis.
7. Chief Sumner Karibi-Whyte (1994) – Jurist; led NECON under Abacha.
8. Professor Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000) – Lawyer; conducted 1999 transition elections.
9. Dr. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005) – Physicist; oversaw 2003 elections.
10. Professor Maurice Iwu (2005–2010) – Pharmacologist; conducted the controversial 2007 elections.
11. Professor Attahiru Jega (2010–2015) – Political scientist; introduced PVCs and card readers.
12. Professor Mahmood Yakubu (2015–2025) – Historian; introduced BVAS and IReV.
13. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (Acting, 2025–date) – Lawyer and publisher; first female INEC Chair in acting capacity.
Nearly all chairmen emerged from academia or law, underscoring the intellectual foundation of Nigeria’s electoral management.
If confirmed, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu would shatter a 66-year precedent, symbolizing gender progress and institutional renewal under President Tinubu’s watch.
TEN QUALITIES OF A WORTHY INEC CHAIRMAN
1. Integrity — incorruptible and impartial.
2. Courage — unwavering in crisis.
3. Administrative skill — decisive and disciplined.
4. Transparency — open to scrutiny.
5. Competence — mastery of election systems.
6. Patriotism — loyalty to the Constitution.
7. Emotional intelligence — calm under pressure.
8. Institutional vision — long-term reform mindset.
9. Digital fluency — understanding technology.
10. Moral authority — commanding respect through example.
TEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES
1. Invest in structure, not slogans. Elections are won on the ground, not on social media.
2. Train and deploy agents to every polling unit; absence there is absence everywhere.
3. Collaborate among smaller parties—form regional alliances and adopt one common presidential candidate to gain national spread.
4. Share trusted agents across allied parties to reduce duplication and ensure credible oversight.
5. Focus on data analytics—voter demographics, turnout trends, and geography of influence.
6. Establish situation rooms in all states for real-time monitoring and crisis escalation.
7. Engage legal experts early to document irregularities and prepare prompt petitions.
8. Avoid over-reliance on religious or ethnic sentiment. Strategy must replace emotion.
9. Reward party loyalty through training, honorarium, and empowerment of unit-level agents.
10. Shift from noise to nuance. As President Tinubu exemplifies, “Serious politics is not about shouting the loudest, but about preparing the deepest.”
Lastly
The arrival of a new electoral referee signals another test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience. The task before Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu is profound—to protect the sanctity of the ballot and sustain citizens’ trust.
As the philosopher Plato once said, “The penalty for refusing to participate in politics is to be governed by your inferiors.”
And in the spirit of leadership, John C. Maxwell reminds us: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
For Nigeria, the way forward is clear—credible elections, institutional independence, and responsible citizenship. For the new INEC leadership, the goal remains unchanged: to ensure that the people’s voice, not manipulation, decides the future of this nation.
Energy experts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector have defended the pricing structure of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing some fuel markers of attempting to blackmail the refinery and mislead the public over the recent increase in petrol prices.
The experts said reports suggesting that the refinery’s latest adjustment is solely responsible for the recent hike in fuel prices were misleading, noting that importers are also bringing in petrol at almost a N1,000 per litre, while the refinery’s coastal price is N948 and the gantry or ex-depot price stands at N995 per litre.
They stressed that public comparisons fail to consider the differences in pricing structures and supply channels.
According to the experts, N948 per litre represents the coastal delivery price, which refers to petroleum products transported by marine vessels or barges from the refinery to depots along the coastline. On the other hand, N995 per litre represents the gantry or ex-depot price, which is the rate paid by marketers who load petrol directly from the refinery into tanker trucks at the loading gantry for onward distribution across the country.
The experts explained that the two figures should not be interpreted as conflicting prices but rather as different logistics arrangements within the petroleum distribution chain.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, energy expert David Okon said the pricing adjustments were inevitable given prevailing market conditions.
According to him, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals operates in a deregulated market and procures crude at international prices, which have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“The refinery is already absorbing part of the cost to cushion the impact of the crisis on Nigerians. We can see what is happening in other parts of the world where shortages and scarcity are being reported despite higher prices, yet the Dangote Refinery has continued to guarantee domestic supply,” he said.
Okon explained that when the refinery previously sold petrol at N774 per litre, crude oil was landing at about $68 per barrel. However, with crude now arriving at roughly $95 per barrel, the cost difference of about $27 per barrel translates to nearly N40,000 per barrel when converted to Naira.
“You cannot expect a refinery to continue selling at the old rate under those circumstances,” he added.
“If imported products were truly cheaper, importers would still be selling at the previous prices.”
He warned that without local refining capacity, Nigeria could have faced severe fuel shortages, long queues at filling stations and a resurgence of black market sales.
“Without the Dangote Refinery, many filling stations would likely shut down, queues would return across the country and black market traders would exploit the situation, hawking four litres keg at N20,000 or more. The refinery has effectively prevented that scenario,” he said.
Another analyst, Mohammed Ibrahim, also faulted narratives circulating in some quarters suggesting that the refinery’s pricing adjustment was responsible for worsening economic hardship in the country.
Accusing some importers of attempting to manipulate public perception, he said, “What we are seeing is nothing but deliberate blackmail by some fuel importers who feel threatened by local refining.
“They are twisting the pricing structure to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary panic in the market.
“By exaggerating the refinery’s gantry price and ignoring the comparable costs of imported fuel, they are trying to make it appear as though Dangote Refinery is the cause of rising prices and economic hardship. This is a calculated attempt to protect their import businesses and undermine local refining, which is meant to reduce our dependence on imported petrol.”
Ibrahim added that such narratives were aimed at portraying the refinery as the reason Nigerians were struggling with higher petrol prices.
He stressed that petrol pricing in Nigeria is largely influenced by global crude oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and distribution logistics, noting that these factors affect both locally refined and imported fuel in the country’s deregulated market.
Afolabi Olowookere, Managing Director and Chief Economist at Analysts’ Data Services and Resources (ADSR) Limited, explained that although Nigerians expect refined products from the refinery to be significantly cheaper, prevailing market realities such as global crude oil prices, the cost of crude supply and refining margins make substantial price reductions unlikely in the short term.
“Therefore, improving domestic crude allocation to the refinery would strengthen supply stability and enhance the long term benefits of local refining for the economy,” Olowookere noted.
Recent conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions along key shipping lanes have tightened global oil supply, pushing crude prices past $90 per barrel, a development that directly raises the cost of both imported and locally refined petrol in Nigeria.
The unrest has pushed up fuel costs and transportation in several countries, including Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, and Japan, as rising crude prices increase the cost of refining, distribution, and logistics globally.
CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO
A renowned humanitarian and proud daughter of Mbaise in Imo State, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has empowered over 300 widows and vulnerable women across the Owerri Zone, in a remarkable demonstration of compassion and service to humanity.
The empowerment programme, which took place at the Palace of the Eze of Ngor Okpala, HRH Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and beneficiaries from different communities within the zone.
During the event, the widows received food materials and cash support, aimed at helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their small-scale businesses.
The initiative was widely applauded as a timely intervention to support women who often face severe economic hardship after losing their spouses.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to High Chief (Dr.) Nwoga-Ecton, describing the empowerment as a lifeline that would help them take better care of their families.
Some widows, while offering prayers for the philanthropist, noted that the gesture had restored hope and dignity in their lives.
Fondly known as Ada Imo and Adaure, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton has earned widespread admiration for her consistent humanitarian efforts both within Nigeria and internationally.
Through her philanthropic activities and foundations, she has continued to support widows, children, and vulnerable communities with interventions in healthcare, welfare and economic empowerment.
Community stakeholders who attended the programme commended the Mbaise-born philanthropist for her generosity and dedication to uplifting the less privileged, noting that her actions reflect true leadership and compassion.
Observers say the initiative further reinforces her growing reputation as one of the most impactful humanitarians of this generation, whose commitment to humanity continues to inspire hope across Imo State and beyond.
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ADMIN KING OF THE UKA THRONE
March 6, 2026 – In a landmark royal decree, the Office of the Minister of Information & Culture of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) has announced the appointment of His Imperial Royal Eminence, King Sir Benny Terry Danson, as the Acting Admin King of the UKA Throne. The nomination was issued through an official directive from the UKA Throne and is intended to pave the way for King Sir Benny Terry Danson’s eventual ascension to the title of Official Emperor Admin of the Throne, subject to the completion of necessary formal and constitutional processes.
The UKA Throne emphasized that the appointment underscores its unwavering commitment to competence, dedication, and integrity as the guiding principles for all administrative functions within the government structure. Officials stated that the decision is a strategic move to reinforce national leadership and accelerate the kingdom’s vision of becoming a more efficient, progressive, and unified nation.
The new Acting Admin King will oversee initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving public service delivery, and promoting collective national development among citizens and followers of the UKA. The government expressed deep appreciation for the continuous love, loyalty, and support shown by the populace, noting that public engagement is essential for the kingdom’s shared prosperity and advancement.
Further details regarding the formalization of the appointment, including ceremonial schedules and administrative timelines, will be released to the public in due course through official communication channels.
Report Highlights:
– Nominee: King Sir Benny Terry Danson, Acting Admin King.
– Objective: Transition toward becoming Official Emperor Admin of the UKA Throne.
– Focus: Strengthening governance through competence, dedication, and integrity.
– Impact: Expected to drive national efficiency, progress, and unity.
– Next Steps: Official ceremonies and constitutional procedures to follow.
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