THE LATE Professor Humphrey Nwosu pioneered Nigeria’s free and fair elections with his innovative open ballot system popularly known as Option A4. He remains the best that has happened to electoral management in Nigeria.
By allowing vote monitoring from polling units, Option A4 minimised rigging. MKO Abiola’s victory in the 1993 election was largely due to Nwosu’s system, which ensured transparency and fairness. Option A4 was therefore a game-changer in 1993.
Nigerians have been denied the opportunity to choose their leaders in elections since 1999. The outcomes of our elections are often determined by the electoral body’s chairman. The character of the INEC Chairman is crucial for the success of the 2027 elections. A principled leader can inspire integrity in his team. Nigeria’s challenge isn’t a lack of educated individuals, but rather a scarcity of principled leaders who can resist manipulation by unscrupulous politicians.
The opposition NRC had nothing concrete against the victory of Social Democratic Party (SDP) other than to say that the late Chief MKO Abiola wore a dress featuring the symbol of SDP. Pre-Nwosu elections lacked credibility, and the annulment created an opportunity for self-serving politicians to capitalise on the impasse to market themselves while pretending to be fighting for its actualisation. We have now known that none of them is a democrat.
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Prof. Joash Amupitan has the potential to excel. He can even do better than Prof. Nwosu if he chose to. However, some individuals who’ve held the INEC chairmanship seem predetermined to underperform. In Nigeria, the position is often viewed as a lucrative opportunity, reflecting a misguided belief that a person’s worth is measured by their wealth.
Prof. Amupitan’s appointment coincides with widespread scepticism about the government’s legitimacy due to the disputed 2023 elections. Given the current political climate, there’s a risk that he might be seen as a tool for the ruling party’s interests. In fact, some people believe that appointment has already put a question mark on his reputation and might need to prove his innocence. The Tinubu-led APC administration appears to prioritise the 2027 elections and is putting necessary things in its favour while pressing issues like insecurity, and many aspects of governance are unattended to.
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Nigeria is passing through the age of political darkness were all the negative democratic and undemocratic forces have gathered together to ensure progress is elusive. The news by Sahara reporters claiming that the Federal Government, under President Tinubu, has offered a total package of N250 billion to each state governor who defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is something to worry about.
I pray that Amupitan succeed. Even if it is unlikely owing to the fact that the president deliberately went for a Yoruba man from Aiyetoro in Kogi State. His appointment completes the circle of Yorubanisation of all the agencies that will see to 2027 elections. From police to army, judiciary, EFCC, Civil defence etc. He is seen as one who comes with a mandate. He is the only one who can set himself free. Apart from late prof. Nwosu, no Nigeria has handled that position and came out with a good name. For a man between an ambitious president and an expectant electorate, the task is highly herculean.
The recent defections of high-profile politicians to APC are consolidating a one-party state. If the claims of Sahara Reporters is right, we now know why it is taking place. President Tinubu’s efforts at the federal level mirror his tenure in Lagos. Meanwhile, opposition parties like PDP, ADC, Labour, and NNPP face challenges. Without personalities like Peter Obi, the dominance of the ruling party could become even more entrenched.
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Nigerians aren’t asking Prof. Joash Amupitan for favours but just free and fair elections. If Prof. Nwosu could deliver under military rule, Amupitan should be able to do the same unless he has a hidden agenda. The previous INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, left a mess. Now, Nigerians need a clear-headed professional like Humphrey Nwosu to bring credibility to the electoral process. If the 2027 elections are free and fair, whoever emerges will be welcome.
Nigerians have been denied the opportunity to choose their leaders in elections since 1999. The outcomes of our elections are often determined by the electoral body’s chairman. The character of the INEC Chairman is crucial for the success of the 2027 elections. A principled leader can inspire integrity in his team. Nigeria’s challenge isn’t a lack of educated individuals, but rather a scarcity of principled leaders who can resist manipulation by unscrupulous politicians.
Prof. Amupitan must ensure the effective use of technology in the 2027 elections, including electronic smart cards, digital accreditation, BVAS, IReV, and electronic transmission of results. Nigerians won’t tolerate excuses like “technical glitches” as seen in the 2023 elections. Voter apathy has increased, and the recent Lagos local government elections were marred by irregularities, with concerns about thuggery and manipulation.
I pray that Amupitan succeed. Even if it is unlikely owing to the fact that the president deliberately went for a Yoruba man from Aiyetoro in Kogi State. His appointment completes the circle of Yorubanisation of all the agencies that will see to 2027 elections. From police to army, judiciary, EFCC, Civil defence etc. He is seen as one who comes with a mandate. He is the only one who can set himself free. Apart from late prof. Nwosu, no Nigeria has handled that position and came out with a good name. For a man between an ambitious president and an expectant electorate, the task is highly herculean.
