2027 Power Play: Tinubu Pressured to Appoint INEC Chairman from South-South

As preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections begin to intensify, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been advised to appoint the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the South-South region of the country. This recommendation was made by prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Monday Ubani, as the tenure of the current INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, nears its expiration in October 2025.

According to iReporter Online, Ubani emphasized that the appointment of the new INEC boss should not only be based on geographical balance but must also take into account the integrity, independence, and credibility of the individual. He maintained that the next chairman must possess strong moral character and a proven commitment to fairness, transparency, and democratic values.

Ubani argued that with the President hailing from the South-West and the current INEC chairman from the North-East, fairness demands that the next appointee should come from either the South-South or South-East. However, he particularly stressed that the South-South deserves the opportunity given the historical marginalization of the region in such high-level electoral positions.

According to iReporter Online, Ubani pointed out that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, from the South-West, appointed INEC Chairman Abel Guobadia from the South-East during his tenure. He said this precedent supports the idea of a rotational system in appointing the head of the electoral commission, which would further promote national unity and trust in the democratic process.

The lawyer also referenced ongoing political realignments and growing concerns over the neutrality of the current INEC leadership. He noted that some political actors, including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, have accused Professor Yakubu of allegedly influencing the outcome of the 2023 elections in favour of President Tinubu — claims that have fueled renewed calls for reforms within the commission.

Ubani urged the President to seize this opportunity to restore public confidence in INEC by selecting a competent, untainted, and regionally representative figure to lead the commission into the 2027 elections. According to iReporter Online, over 110 political associations have already submitted applications to register as new parties, indicating a rising level of political activity and expectations ahead of the polls.

As the nation awaits President Tinubu’s decision, political observers say the choice of INEC leadership could determine the credibility of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle and shape the future of its democratic trajectory.