Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has once again raised his voice on the need for urgent electoral reforms in Nigeria, urging the appointment of credible new leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His call came during a speech at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University in Connecticut, where he criticized the 2023 general elections as a travesty and stressed the need for substantial changes to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Obasanjo’s remarks focused on the importance of appointing new, credible leaders at INEC, with a key recommendation being to limit their tenures. According to him, shorter tenures would help prevent corruption and ensure that electoral processes remain fair, transparent, and free from manipulation. His advocacy for integrity within the electoral body is not new; Obasanjo has long been an outspoken critic of the electoral system in Nigeria, particularly regarding the perceived lack of accountability and fairness in past elections.
He pointed out that without reform and a new leadership direction at INEC, the credibility of Nigeria’s elections would continue to be undermined. Obasanjo emphasized that the elections must not only be free and fair but also perceived as such by the Nigerian people and the international community. Without this, public trust would continue to erode, and the nation’s democracy would remain fragile.
Obasanjo didn’t hold back in his assessment of the 2023 general elections, calling them a travesty due to what he sees as systemic flaws, irregularities, and a lack of transparency. His comments echo the concerns raised by many Nigerians and international observers who criticized the election process, especially regarding the delays in result announcements, the controversial role of INEC, and widespread allegations of voter suppression and malpractice.
For Obasanjo, the 2023 elections highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria. He argued that the electoral process must be restructured to ensure fairness, trust, and a level playing field for all parties involved. He also stressed the necessity of updating the country’s electoral laws to address these systemic issues and prevent them from recurring in future elections.
Obasanjo’s call for reform is not just about leadership at INEC but also about transforming Nigeria’s broader electoral system. He underscored the need for a legal and institutional overhaul, which would involve stricter oversight, better funding for INEC, and stronger protections for voters. He also suggested that technology could play a larger role in ensuring a more transparent and efficient voting process.
The former president’s suggestions align with the desires of many Nigerian citizens who are looking for change and greater accountability in their political system. As one of the key figures in Nigeria’s post military democracy, Obasanjo’s views carry significant weight, and his call for electoral reform will likely resonate with many Nigerians who have grown disillusioned with the state of the country’s politics.
At the core of Obasanjo’s speech was the need to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. For any democracy to thrive, the electorate must have confidence that their votes count, that the process is transparent, and that the outcomes are truly reflective of the will of the people. Without this trust, Nigeria’s democracy risks stagnating and possibly even regressing.
By advocating for credible leadership at INEC, shorter tenures, and comprehensive reforms, Obasanjo has added his voice to the growing chorus of Nigerians calling for electoral change. The challenge now lies in whether the Nigerian government and political leaders will heed these calls and take concrete steps to address the flaws in the system before the next election cycle.
As Nigeria moves forward, the question remains: can the country reform its electoral system in time to restore faith in its democracy, or will it continue to grapple with the challenges that have plagued its elections for decades Only time will tell, but Obasanjo’s message underscores the urgency of the situation.