Mahmoud Yakubu’s time as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is remembered as one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s democratic journey. His leadership, marked by corruption, inefficiency, and poor accountability, weakened public confidence in the nation’s elections. According to Mediaplusng.com, rather than protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy, Yakubu’s actions created deep mistrust in the electoral system and damaged INEC’s reputation as a neutral institution.
Under his leadership, the 2023 general election became a major disappointment for millions of Nigerians. Despite receiving over ₦350 billion in funding, INEC struggled with logistics, delayed results, and technical failures in electronic transmission. Mediaplusng.com reports that the election was marred by allegations of vote manipulation, voter suppression, and poor coordination at polling units. These lapses turned what should have been a democratic milestone into a national embarrassment, leaving citizens disillusioned and questioning whether their votes truly counted.
Within INEC itself, Yakubu’s leadership style reportedly created a toxic environment. Staff morale dropped as many workers were denied promotions and benefits, while critical voices were sidelined. Mediaplusng.com notes that his handling of internal affairs mirrored the public collapse of trust in INEC. Beyond the commission, Yakubu’s role in pushing for the controversial deregistration of political parties also raised fears about threats to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
As Yakubu exits the stage, Nigeria faces the urgent task of rebuilding trust in its electoral process. Restoring faith in INEC will require genuine reforms, transparency, and leadership that prioritizes the people’s will over personal or political interests. The damage of the past years may take time to repair, but Nigerians remain hopeful that future elections can once again reflect the true spirit of democracy.
By Chief Peter Ojonugwa Ameh
Former National Chairman, IPAC
Ex–2019 Presidential Candidate
National Secretary, CUPP
Political Economist and Governance Analyst
