Legal practitioner Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs to be unbundled to enhance its independence, non-partisanship, and effectiveness as an electoral umpire in Nigeria. He made this statement in response to the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which upheld President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election.
Adegboruwa pointed out that the burden placed on petitioners to overturn election results in Nigeria is often insurmountable, and INEC’s conduct during the legal process can sometimes appear biased. He emphasized the need to reform INEC to ensure its impartiality and effectiveness.
The legal practitioner called for a review of the electoral process and litigation procedures, emphasizing that INEC, in its current form, cannot conduct credible elections in Nigeria. He also urged stakeholders to reflect on the state of democracy in the country.
The presidential election petitions tribunal upheld President Tinubu’s victory, dismissing petitions from the Peoples Democratic Party, its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi, challenging the election results.