I am vehemently opposed and condemns the attempt by Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed amendments, particularly Section 65, which expose the deep rot in Nigeria’s electoral system. I unequivocally declare that such provisions are not only unnecessary but also a deliberate attempt to entrench manipulation and undermine the will of the Nigerian people.
If INEC officials maintain neutrality and refrain from tampering with results declared at polling units, there would be no need for such draconian laws.
Section 65 reeks of a flawed system, revealing INEC’s failure to uphold transparency and accountability. Instead of chasing shadows with amendments that centralize power in the hands of a few at the national headquarters, INEC must prioritize mandatory, immediate uploads of election results to the IReV portal directly from polling units. This is the only path to ensuring that every vote counts and the people’s mandate is protected.
Furthermore, INEC’s refusal to address the astronomical cost of elections is unacceptable. We demand that INEC propose to the National Assembly a framework for conducting all elections in a single day. This will curb voter fatigue, eliminate apathy, and restore confidence in our democracy. The commission’s current trajectory only deepens public distrust and erodes the integrity of our electoral process.
I call on INEC to abandon these deceptive reforms and focus on building a free, credible, and transparent electoral system. Nigerians deserve an electoral process that reflects their will, not one manipulated by a select few. I urge all Nigerians to reject this and should not stand idly by while our democracy is hijacked.
Signed,
Chief Peter Ameh
former National Chairman,
Inter-Party Advisory council, IPAC
