BREAKING: Tinubu Directs INEC Chairman Yakubu to Proceed on Leave Amid APC Betrayal Allegations

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation. During the meeting, Uzodimma allegedly accused Yakubu of undermining the APC by registering new political parties at the end of his tenure—moves that reportedly disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

The governor also claimed that Yakubu was covertly supporting a candidate in the Imo State governorship election. These allegations, though unverified, formed the backdrop to Tinubu’s reported directive that Yakubu suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

The decision has already disrupted INEC’s schedule, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Yakubu’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, as well as a planned session with civil society organisations.

Following Yakubu’s departure, President Tinubu is now expected to submit the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days. The choice of his successor will have far-reaching implications for the credibility and neutrality of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

Under the 1999 Constitution, the President nominates the INEC Chairman after consulting the Council of State and forwards the name to the Senate for confirmation. However, because the President chairs the Council and often controls the Senate through his party, political influence can easily sway the process.

In March, SaharaReporters reported that a prominent politician from Oghara, Delta State, was actively lobbying for a compromised figure to become the next INEC Chairman, setting the stage for widespread electoral manipulation. Sources implicated former Delta State Governor James Ibori, a convicted ex-governor who served time in the United Kingdom for looting public funds.

According to these sources, Ibori has been maneuvering to position his associate and kinsman, Moses Ogbe, as the next INEC Chairman to ensure direct control over the rigging of the 2027 elections. Ibori’s influence in Nigeria’s political landscape remains significant. He has previously succeeded in securing key appointments for his allies, including:

• The appointment of his in-law, Chinedu Ebie, as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Governing Board.
• The appointment of his daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, as Chairperson of the House Committee on NDDC.

Moses Ogbe, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) under Professor Maurice Iwu’s tenure, has a deeply controversial history. He was once a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was nominated for the REC position by James Ibori during a period marked by widespread election rigging.

Ogbe was allegedly part of a network of election manipulators who worked closely with Professor Iwu, infamous for overseeing Nigeria’s deeply flawed 2007 general election—an election so discredited that then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua publicly admitted its failures and initiated b

Ogbe’s tenure as REC in Lagos State during the 2003 elections also reportedly saw significant electoral malpractices under the administration of then-Governor Bola Tinubu.

President Tinubu has a history of surrounding himself with individuals he has previously worked with or known as he advances politically. For example, in 1999, the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, served as Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer while holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. At the time, Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State.

This pattern has fueled speculation that Tinubu’s eventual choice for INEC Chairman may reflect loyalty rather than neutrality, further raising concerns about the commission’s independence ahead of the 2027 elections.

In September, INEC officially recognized former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This move ended months of internal wrangling over the party’s leadership.

The electoral body also confirmed Dr. Mani Ibrahim as National Treasurer, alongside Akibu Dalhatu and Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, who now serve as National Financial Secretary and National Legal Adviser, respectively. SaharaReporters confirmed that the names of the newly recognized ADC leaders had been uploaded to INEC’s official website.

These developments, combined with the controversy surrounding Yakubu’s exit, underscore the growing challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system and the urgent need for a credible and neutral INEC leadership.

The appointment of Mahmood Yakubu’s successor will shape Nigeria’s democratic future. Stakeholders are calling on President Tinubu to nominate a credible, independent figure with the courage to resist political pressure and the integrity to restore public trust in the electoral process.

With allegations of manipulation, high-stakes political maneuvering, and growing public skepticism, the 2027 elections represent a critical test for Nigeria’s democracy. The credibility of the process—and by extension, the legitimacy of the government that emerges—depends heavily on the independence of INEC’s leadership.

As Nigeria stands at this crossroads, the question remains: Will the next INEC Chairman be a reformer who strengthens democracy or a compromised figure who undermines it?