Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that Nigeria must reflect on its electoral past to ensure successful and inclusive future elections.
Prof. Yakubu, represented by an INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said this during an event, themed; ‘Public Presentation of EMBs In Nigeria Since 1958’ in Abuja, on Friday.
According to him, “Nigeria is on the way to trouble-free elections with the unveiling of the book with the records of challenges of previous elections.
“The presentation targets three interrelated objectives, to share insights from the research with a broader audience, garner perspectives of experts and stakeholders on the experiences within EMBs in Nigeria, and stimulate interest and collective action towards improved electoral governance for credible elections in Nigeria.
“The research is not merely a retrospective examination, but a meticulous and comprehensive study that yields actionable insights, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance and strengthen Nigeria’s electoral processes.”
He noted that Election Management Boides (EMBs) have undertaken a comprehensive examination of the legacy of successive election management bodies, assessing their role in shaping the electoral process, including key dimensions such as gender balance, intergenerational diversity, and regional equity within the EMBs’ own composition.
“Over the years, from the pioneering efforts of the Electoral Commission in 1958 to the current operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), EMBs have consistently played a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of our elections.
Our research explores the legal frameworks, landmark judicial decisions, and other influences that have shaped the functionality of EMBs”.
Director IRIAD, Princess Hamman Obels, said the research study on the electoral process in Nigeria, focusing on the contributions of each Electoral Commission chairperson since independence examines the impact of political economy, legal instruments, and social conditions on the electoral process and representation.
She said, “the importance of understanding the thought process and selection criteria for electoral commission members, include factors like gender and age. The goal is to identify policy recommendations to improve the electoral process and move forward in a positive direction.”
In his speech, Prof. Adele Jinadu, a distinguished Political Science expert and member of the Electoral Forum, hailed the book as ‘intriguing’ and lauded its meticulous analysis and sweeping overview of Nigeria’s electoral commission history, deftly segmented into seven distinct historical phases: 1958-1960; 1960-1963; 1961-1966; 1976-1983; 1987-1993; 1995-1998; and 1998 to the present, offering a rich and engaging account of the development of electoral commissions in Nigeria.
Moreover, he observed that the analysis is situated within the comprehensive constitutional and political narrative of Nigeria, connecting the genesis of elections in the country to the inaugural introduction of a primitive, albeit diminutive and flawed, system of elective governance in 1923.
“The system was minuscule and flawed primarily because it was, to use an oxymoron, hugely unrepresentative, in its providing for only three unofficial members from Lagos and one from Calabar, to the country’s Legislative Council, elected by residents of both towns who had a minimum annual income of one hundred pounds sterling.
“It was not until the 1959 federal elections that universal adult suffrage was adopted for the elections in the Eastern Region, Western Region, and Lagos while adult male suffrage was adopted in the Northern Region.
“This is the broad line of inquiry I want to pursue in this review. I find it preferable to do so than to provide a boring regurgitation of the chapters in the monograph.”
Meanwhile, other significant participants included; DG, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies; Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Prince Adebayo Balogun; National Chairman IPAC; Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, and National Vice Chairman, FOSIECON, Hon Ayuba Wandai, amongst others.
Furthermore, a panel discussion was held to discuss various aspects of the election process and the importance of electoral integrity to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with democratic principles.