Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process has once again come under scrutiny, with former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). George bluntly described the current system as chaotic and unworthy of a democracy in a recent interview with Saturday Tribune.
George expressed deep concern over the ongoing turmoil in the Lagos State House of Assembly, linking it to a larger systemic problem: the dominance of political godfatherism. He asserts that a select few in Lagos dictate political decisions, thereby sidelining the will of the people. He argued that genuine democracy can only be achieved if elections are conducted fairly, transparently, and free from undue influence.
He further criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning the legitimacy of its internal structures. “Who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organizing Secretary? Where is their executive committee?” he asked, pointing out that power in the party seems concentrated in the hands of a few rather than being a reflection of grassroots democracy.
The veteran politician lamented that Nigeria’s electoral system has become a tool for manipulation rather than a vehicle for true representation. He emphasized that a flawed process inevitably leads to flawed leadership, arguing that the country’s governance issues are a direct result of an election system that does not genuinely reflect the people’s will.
George insisted that INEC must undergo a complete transformation to ensure fairness and credibility. He stressed that technological advancements such as the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) should be fully utilized to prevent manual manipulation of election results. The frequent electoral irregularities, often attributed to technical “glitches,’ raise serious concerns about the credibility of the system.
“The issue at the Lagos State House of Assembly is merely a symptom of a deeper crisis,” George remarked. “Until INEC is restructured, and its personnel and equipment are re-evaluated, we are merely playing with democracy.”
He warned that if Nigeria fails to address these fundamental flaws, political instability will only deepen, further eroding public confidence in democratic institutions.
