The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, says the commission cannot be truly independent without financial autonomy.

Amupitan made this assertion on Thursday at the public presentation of ‘Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)’, authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr Eniola Bello.

He cautioned that persistent dependence on the normal budgetary process weakens INEC’s operational independence, adding that such could undermine efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

According to him, while the electoral body remains central to the electoral process, the responsibility for credible elections extends to political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and Nigerians themselves.

“Can INEC truly be independent without financial autonomy? If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman stressed that although the Constitution places the electoral umpire’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, practical experience has shown that the arrangement falls short of guaranteeing genuine independence because the Commission still passes through the normal appropriation process.

Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive suspending all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, across the state.

The opposition party, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, described the order as unconstitutional, illegal and beyond the governor’s powers.

The party also argued that the directive given to security agencies to halt NURTW operations and arrest anyone presenting themselves as a union official was not supported by the law.

DAILY POST had reported that Governor Adeleke had issued a directive after a security meeting, instructing the police and other security agencies to immediately stop all NURTW activities in Osun and arrest individuals claiming to be executives or officials of the union at motor parks.

The directive by Governor Adeleke preceded the announcement by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Osun State chapter, aligned with the All Progressives Congress, APC, installing a caretaker management committees for transport unions as part of measures aimed at restoring order following a leadership crisis.

The APC maintained that the governor’s action followed the recent leadership crisis within the NURTW, which led to the suspension of the union’s leadership and transport union activities in the state by local government authorities pending consultations with the union’s national leadership.

According to the party, “chairmen of the 30 local government councils and the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke, had met with transport unions, including motorcycle and tricycle operators, and resolved to establish a caretaker management committee pending the emergence of substantive state leaders.”

The party alleged that the governor’s intervention amounted to interference in the affairs of a legally registered association and questioned the legal advice being provided to the state government.

It argued that “the directive contravened Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees the right to freedom of association.

“The latest illegal directive issued by the outgoing Governor Adeleke dabbling into the affairs of the management of the motor parks by the NURTW across the state which is an association duly registered puts to question the quality of those offering legal advice to the embattled governor.”

The APC expressed confidence that security agencies would not enforce what it described as an unlawful directive, insisting that any disputes involving the union should be resolved through the courts rather than executive orders.

The party cited a Court of Appeal judgment involving the Oyo State Government and the NURTW, where the appellate court declared Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2019 suspension of the union’s activities unlawful and unconstitutional.

According to the APC, “the appellate court ruled that while state governments have a constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order, such powers must be exercised within the limits prescribed by law and cannot justify suspending the activities of a registered association without legal authority.”

Quoting part of the judgment, the party noted that “the Court of Appeal held that allegations of violence alone were insufficient to justify the suspension of the union without concrete evidence. Any unlawful conduct should instead be addressed through the appropriate security agencies and lawful judicial processes.”

The APC urged the governor to reverse the directive, insisting that the order was “repugnant, ultra vires, illegal, overreaching and grossly unconstitutional.”

It also maintained that it would not withstand judicial scrutiny if challenged in court. 

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…Stakeholders advocate renaming LASU after Lateef Jakande

By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Juliet Umeh

A professor of Political Science at Lagos State University (LASU), Sylvester Akhaine, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have stressed the need for a responsible media, transparent electoral commission and informed electorate to guarantee credible elections in Nigeria.

They made the call at the Fourth Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture organised by the NGE on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “The Media, INEC, Voters and the Path to Credible Elections.”

The annual lecture is organised in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Lagos State Governor, journalist and former President of the NGE.

The event was attended by NGE members led by its President and Editor of Vanguard Media, Mr Eze Anaba; Vanguard Publisher, Uncle Sam Amuka; veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch, Mr Ray Ekpu; members of the Jakande family, including his widow, Alhaja Sikirat Jakande; academics, media executives, public officials, civil society representatives and students from LASU, Yaba College of Technology and other institutions.

Delivering the keynote address, Akhaine said the role of the media, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters would be critical to the success of the 2027 general elections.

Referencing the ideals of the Jakande administration during the Second Republic, Akhaine described the theme of the lecture as timely, given the country’s preparations for another electoral cycle.

“For credible elections to take place in our country, the media, INEC and voters have a role to play,” he said.

Akhaine described Nigeria’s democratic experience as facing challenges of state capture and weakened sovereignty, where institutional balance is affected and non-state actors exert influence in some areas.

He said such challenges had contributed to insecurity and increased reliance on community-based security arrangements alongside conventional security agencies.

The political scientist also criticised Nigeria’s political culture, citing monetised politics, poor leadership recruitment and a trust deficit that has reduced citizens’ active participation in governance.

He described the media as a key institution for information dissemination, public education and shaping opinion, noting its historical role in Nigeria’s democratic development.

On electoral management, Akhaine traced the evolution of Nigeria’s election bodies from the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) established in 1959 to the present INEC, established in 1998.

He said while election management bodies expanded globally following the third wave of democratisation, many in Africa still face challenges relating to independence.

Akhaine described voters as the “transmission belt for consent” in democracy, stressing that citizens remain central to any electoral process.

According to him, credible elections are best identified by the absence of practices such as ballot stuffing, vote-buying, gerrymandering and intimidation.

He referenced international frameworks, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the ECOWAS Protocol and SADC Guidelines, which promote free, fair and transparent elections.

Reviewing Nigeria’s electoral history, Akhaine said none of the seven general elections conducted since 1999 could be regarded as completely free and fair.

He cited previous electoral controversies, including the 1964/1965 elections, the 1979 “two-thirds” controversy, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the 2007 elections, which the Commonwealth Observer Group said fell short of acceptable standards.

He also identified emerging challenges facing the media, including misinformation, fake news and post-truth politics driven by digital platforms, bots and online manipulation.

Call for collaboration

Akhaine urged the media, INEC and voters to work together to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

He said the media must uphold the provisions of Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the press to hold government accountable and guarantee freedom of expression.

He urged INEC to maximise technological reforms and financial autonomy to improve electoral credibility.

Akhaine also supported recommendations of the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel, including the proposal to remove the appointment of INEC officials from the exclusive control of the executive arm.

He called for continuous voter education to help citizens make informed choices and resist electoral inducements.

“If these critical stakeholders play their role, it is my conviction that Nigeria’s democratic train would be steered on the right course,” he said.

Earlier, NGE President Eze Anaba said the choice of theme was informed by the country’s approach to another electoral cycle and the need to strengthen democratic institutions.

He said the credibility of elections remained the foundation of legitimate governance, warning that doubts over electoral integrity could erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

Anaba urged the media to remain professional, accurate and fair in election coverage, while calling on INEC to continue to discharge its responsibilities with transparency, competence and impartiality.

He explained that the memorial lecture, instituted in 2023, was designed to preserve the legacy of Jakande, whose career as a journalist, administrator and public servant represented service, integrity and good governance.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Lai Olorode, described Jakande as a leader committed to public welfare and urged political leaders to emulate his values.

He said credible elections remained essential to ensuring that the will of the people is reflected in governance.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, described Jakande as an outstanding journalist and administrator whose contributions continue to inspire generations.

Sanwo-Olu warned against the spread of fake news and misinformation, urging media practitioners to uphold accuracy, credibility and ethical standards.

He also welcomed efforts by the Federal Government to address challenges facing media organisations, particularly the relationship between traditional media and global digital platforms.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the event advocated the renaming of Lagos State University (LASU) after Lateef Jakande, describing the proposal as a fitting recognition of his contributions to education, journalism and public service.