By Felix Khanoba
Renowned civil society organisation, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing review of the Electoral Act 2022 and urged the National Assembly to expedite the process to enable timely presidential assent.
CTA’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a colloquium held to mark ten years of leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the event themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Reflections on a Decade of INEC Leadership,” Nwadishi emphasised that early presidential assent to the amended Act would better position INEC for the next general elections.
“We must commend the National Assembly for its efforts in the ongoing review of the Electoral Act 2022. We urge that this exercise be concluded promptly and that the President assents to the amended law in good time. Early assent will give INEC the opportunity to plan adequately, incorporate new provisions, and test innovations well ahead of the next general election,” she said.
Nwadishi also pledged the organisation’s support for the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, urging him to build on the achievements of his predecessor by strengthening security collaboration, improving logistics and welfare for ad hoc staff, and deepening inclusivity and public trust.
Reflecting on Professor Yakubu’s tenure, Nwadishi described him as a game-changer in Nigeria’s electoral management, citing his commitment to transparency, innovation, and institutional reform.
“Under Professor Yakubu’s leadership, INEC recorded remarkable gains — from the deployment of technology through BVAS and IReV to improved logistics planning and stakeholder engagement. These innovations reduced electoral fraud, curtailed identity theft, and deepened public confidence in the process,” she said.
According to her, Yakubu institutionalised continuous voter registration, expanded stakeholder consultations, strengthened internal systems, and opened INEC’s doors to civil society and the media.
She also noted his gender-sensitive policies, such as establishing the first crèche at INEC headquarters to support nursing mothers.
However, Nwadishi expressed concern over persistent challenges affecting the nation’s elections, including insecurity, vote-buying, voter intimidation, and apathy.
“We must acknowledge the persistent challenges — growing security threats, vote buying, and voter intimidation that undermine the will of the people. These remind us that innovation alone is not enough; our collective commitment, institutional reform, and political will must match technological advancement,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address titled “INEC Under Professor Mahmood Yakubu: A Decade of Transformation (2015–2025),” a Professor of Political Institutions, Governance, and Public Policy at the University of Ibadan spoke gloriously on Yakubu’s far-reaching impact on Nigeria’s electoral system.
While saying that Yakubu’s leadership was defined by his focus on institutional reform — building structures and procedures to ensure credible elections beyond the tenure of any single chairman, the scholar noted that INEC evolved from a largely analogue bureaucracy to a data-driven, technologically enabled institution between 2015 and 2025.
He detailed several reforms under Yakubu’s watch, including INEC’s digitisation and automation programme, which streamlined logistics, communication, and documentation.
According to him, processes such as candidate nomination, observer accreditation, and media registration were moved online, while the Online Voter Pre-registration Portal made registration easier for citizens, particularly the youth.
Beyond technology, the professor said Yakubu prioritised staff training, professionalism, and research, noting the establishment of the Electoral Institute’s Research and Policy Department and the country’s first Election Museum.
He said the former INEC boss administrative and governance reforms, strengthened accountability and transparency within the Commission.
The event also featured a panel discussion with seasoned electoral experts and stakeholders, who credited Yakubu for the Commission’s progress while highlighting persistent issues such as judicial interference, insecurity, and the monetisation of politics as continuing obstacles to credible elections.
