Be fair to all parties, Abubakar urges INEC boss to resist political pressures

Former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold impartiality and justice for all political parties, urging them to resist external pressures. Abubakar made these remarks during a courtesy visit from INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan and national commissioners at his residence in Minna, Niger.

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Your appointment is very, very critical to our democratic setting.

Abubakar, who chairs the National Peace Committee, pledged his support for INEC's upcoming tasks, including the Osun governorship poll and the 2027 general elections. He stressed the vital role of the electoral body in Nigeria's democratic framework, acknowledging the significant challenges and scrutiny faced by its leadership. "Your appointment is very, very critical to our democratic setting," Abubakar stated, noting that the commission often faces accusations of bias regardless of its actions.

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If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong.

"If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong," he observed. However, he expressed confidence in the current INEC leadership, praying they would perform their duties to the best of their ability for the country's benefit. He advised the chairman and his team to remain steadfast, disregard unwarranted distractions, and strictly adhere to their oaths of office.

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All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own.

"All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own," Abubakar reminded the INEC officials. He urged them to "close your ears and shut your eyes" to potential accusations, as this is the nature of politics in Nigeria. He highlighted the upcoming Osun election as a crucial test for the 2027 general elections and announced that the National Peace Committee would hold a meeting on July 29, followed by a Peace Accord signing on July 30, to support peaceful and credible elections.

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So, I wish you well and advise that you close your ears and shut your eyes, because no matter what you do, political parties will have to claim you have done something wrong. That is the nature of Nigerians.