Political activist and civil society leader, Dr Usman Bugaje, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy could collapse if the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to be undermined and if the appointment of its chairman remains in the hands of the president.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Bugaje declared,

“I think everybody is very aware that the INEC as a presidential constitution has lost a lot of credibility. And it is very important that the institution gains this credibility. Otherwise, the stability of the country is going to be threatened. Because when you have institutions that are not delivering, and especially a key institution like INEC, and if this failure continues, then it will erode, not only confidence in INEC, but confidence in democracy itself. And when that happens, you know the consequences.”

Bugaje said reforms must focus on insulating the electoral body from political manipulation. He stated: “I think the key issues are two. One, that INEC’s credibility is at stake. And two, we have got to insulate INEC from political interference. If that doesn’t happen, then it is the democracy that is holding the country down. And when that happens, there are consequences.”

On the contentious issue of who appoints the electoral umpire, he warned that democracy could not stand if the president remained in control of the process.

“I don’t think the president, and I don’t mean this president, any president should have a hand in selecting the INEC chairman. That’s the point. I think any election that the president will participate in and he will be the one to bring in who will be the INEC chair, I think it’s a sham election. It’s just like a football club. I support Chelsea Football Club. It’s just like Chelsea Football Club bringing the referee that will ref a match against Manchester United. That’s what it feels like.”

Bugaje also dismissed the ongoing debate over zoning for the INEC chairmanship, saying the country needed competence, not geographical considerations.

“I’ve said it several times. I don’t think this country, in these particular difficult times, with the experience we’ve had in the last 25 years, would really be standing any focus. What we really require are competent people to fix our problems. This country holds a great promise, not only for Africa, but actually for the world. In 25 years, this country is going to be so much better than any country in the world. And it’s going to have to. It is going to survive and thrive.

This is the time to plan. How do we feed this country? How do we provide the infrastructure? How do we provide the jobs? How do we provide housing? This is the time we need competent leaders. It saddens me that we’re still stuck with zoning.”

He further said: “We have zoned for the last 25 years. Where has that taken this country to? Down the drain. Therefore, it is time to stop this childish idea and really face the reality. We need competent people. Nigeria has competent people. Yes, you need to be inclusive in whatever you do. But that’s different from zoning. If people start taking turns to destroy this country, where is the country going to be?”

Bugaje also raised concerns about revelations that politicians are allegedly plotting to compromise the 2027 elections by infiltrating INEC structures. “I haven’t read the article, but I’ve read a number of postings making either reference to the article or making similar points independently. It speaks to the worries and concerns of Nigerians in a way.

This can only be resolved by use of technology. Technology has the capacity to do that. But the law that enables or mandates INEC to do that is still pending. This Is something that does not need a constitutional amendment. This is something that can be done in the next one, two, three weeks if the president or if there is sufficient pressure from the public that this has to be done.”

He insisted that the role of citizens and civil society was critical in pressing for reforms. “What does it take to push the president and those who are in the National Assembly who have the responsibility for that is the political pressure from the public.

There are consequences if people rise to a particular point and those in power refuse to listen to the people. There are ways people can also react. We have seen what has happened in Nepal. We have seen what is brewing and coming up time and time again in Kenya. And there are other ways that other societies can react.”

Turning to former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s denial of a third term ambition, Bugaje insisted the evidence was overwhelming.

“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for third term. He did everything that he could within his power to get third term. He failed to do so. Now, the fact that he did not take a telephone to make a particular call to anybody, or he did not put anything right on third term, is not sufficient evidence that he did not look for third term. It’s just simply the style. It’s a matter of style. But all of us in the National Assembly at that time knew beyond any doubt that he worked day and night. And many of us were threatened by his own agents. And there were people who suffered different type of harm.”

Bugaje added: “There are so many evidences, and these people who actually distributed the money and threatened us are still alive. Those who received the money are alive. Those who refused to receive the money are alive. That is sufficient evidence. I think Obasanjo should really come back to his senses and begin to see what contribution he can make to improve his country. But this is a matter that is incontrovertible. There is no way he can avoid it. Let him take me up. Absolutely. Let him take me up.” (AriseNews TV)