The President of the African Bar Association, Hannibal Uwaifo, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the supplementary elections in Sokoto State. He argued that INEC devoted extensive time and resources to preparing for the polls, yet delivered a substandard exercise. Uwaifo urged the institution to improve the conduct of future elections in the state.
According to Uwaifo, his team observed numerous incidents of ballot‑box snatching, particularly in Kebbe Local Government, and reported that some INEC officials were assaulted by thugs affiliated with political parties. He lamented, “We all thought that by now the election in the country would have been better than what we are witnessing. The BVAS in itself has not improved compared to what was witnessed during the last round of elections.” He went on to rate the election poorly, giving INEC and security officials only 40 percent.
Uwaifo condemned INEC for spending considerable time and resources only to rely on what he described as incompetent and untrained staff. He emphasized that the Bar Association does not support any candidate, noting that all contestants are indigenes of Sokoto State and any winner will remain an indigene. Finally, he called on the Nigerian media to stand against those who undermine the country through electoral malpractice.
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