As the tenure of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, winds down, Human rights lawyer and activist, Monday Ubani, has called for the appointment of the next INEC chairman from the South-South.

Having served two terms of five years each, Yakubu, who was appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, will step down in October 2025.

During his 10 years as INEC helmsman, Yakubu has overseen two general elections in 2019 and 2023.

Ubani argued that the choice of the successor of the INEC chairman will significantly impact the credibility of the 2027 elections.

According to him, it is logical and fair for the successor to emerge from either the South-South or South-East since the country’s president is from the South West and the outgoing INEC chairman, Yakubu, is from the North East.

Speaking on the character of the potential successor, he said, “Nigerians need someone that can really assure the true independence of INEC. The candidate must be qualified and must also be a man or woman with a history of fairness, truthfulness, high integrity and a very strong character. This is important to usher in good leadership and governance.

“He must be zealous for a proper and unbiased electoral process and the right thing to be done for the nation.”

Given the historical precedent of past INEC chairmen since 1999, Ubani stated that, “The INEC chairman has always come from the South East, North West and the North East, is it not? For a very long time, the position of the INEC chairman has been held by Northerners.

“I think the time is now for the government to look towards the South, and the South-South to be specific. This is because President Bola Tinubu is from the South-West, while Abel Guobadia from the South-East was appointed INEC chairman by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. The government should consider the South-South if they want to be fair.” (Nigerian Tribune)