A call for a substantial overhaul and restructuring of Nigeria’s electoral system has been made by political analyst Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, who emphasised the crucial need for change before the 2027 general elections to bolster the nation’s democracy.
Dr. Pearse, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, stressed that the foundation for the growth and development of the country lies in conducting free and fair elections.
He highlighted the necessity for a complete transformation of the electoral system, asserting that this is pivotal to ensuring the transparency and credibility of elections across the nation.
“Until we revamp the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria, the attainment of genuinely free, fair, and credible elections, which are essential for the emergence of exemplary leaders, will remain elusive,” Dr. Pearse remarked.
Expressing his concerns, he underlined the inherent flaws in the current practice whereby the appointment of the INEC Chairman is directly influenced by the President, a prominent player in the electoral process. Dr. Pearse expressed that this approach hinders the possibility of credible election results.
“It is unprecedented for the president, particularly in a federation, to directly appoint the INEC chairman. The centralized nature of this arrangement underscores the necessity for governmental decentralization and subsequent restructuring,” he emphasised.
Offering an alternative perspective, Dr. Pearse advocated for the complete restructuring of INEC, drawing parallels with the model in the United States. He urged Nigeria to adopt a similar approach and learn from the U.S. electoral system.
He further called for strategic changes in the National Assembly, particularly in the revision of the Electoral Act, to curtail the President’s authority in appointing the INEC chairman and other pertinent officers, thereby enhancing the electoral process and its overall administration.
Dr. Pearse pointed out the U.S. model, wherein the Secretary of State in every state acts as the returning officer during elections, underscoring that this approach should be mirrored in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Highlighting the need for inclusivity, he stressed the importance of establishing local election committees in every state, comprising key representatives from major political parties, irregardless of their individual election performance.
Dr. Pearse strongly criticized the current practice of the appointment of INEC commission members by the President, citing the inherent bias that this creates, ultimately compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
“We need to pave the way for a reimagined electoral system, altering our approach to elections, or else, progress will simply be unattainable,” he concluded.
(NAN)
