Prominent political activist, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has voiced his concerns regarding the future of Nigeria’s democracy, cautioning that the system may collapse if the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to be compromised and if the appointment of its chairman remains under the control of the President.
Bugaje remarked yesterday on Arise Television that INEC has significantly lost credibility, emphasizing the necessity for the institution to restore trust in order to avert threats to the nation’s stability.
He contended that reforms should aim to shield INEC from political manipulation, highlighting that since the credibility of the electoral body is at risk, it must be safeguarded 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,” he cautioned.
Regarding the appointment of the INEC chairman, the civil society leader expressed that the President should not be involved in the process. “I don’t think the President should have a hand in selecting the INEC chairman. 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, is a sham election,” he stated.
Dismissing discussions about zoning for the INEC chairmanship, he asserted, “What we require is competent people to fix our problems. This country holds a great promise, not only for Africa, but for the world.”
He is strongly against zoning and advocates for competence. Therefore, it is time to abandon this childish notion and confront reality. We need capable individuals,” he emphasized, underscoring that citizens and civil society must play a vital role in advocating for reforms through political pressure.
On former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s denial of seeking a third term, Bugaje maintained that the evidence of Obasanjo’s pursuit of a third term is substantial. “I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for a third term.”
Obasanjo, during a democracy dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana last week, stated: “I am not a fool. If I desired a third term, I am aware of the means to achieve it. There is no Nigerian, whether deceased or living, who would claim that I contacted him to express my desire for a third term.”
Conversely, Bugaje, who served as a member of the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s tenure, insisted that the lawmakers at that time were fully aware of the intentions behind the third-term agenda.
“He exerted every effort to secure a third term. There is an abundance of evidence, and those who distributed funds and issued threats are still among us,” he remarked, urging Obasanjo to recognize the past and play a constructive role in Nigeria’s progress.
While declaring the issue as “undeniable”, he called upon Obasanjo to respond to the accusations.
