Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has alleged that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, worked for his political opposition during the 2023 general election.
Obi made the allegation during an exclusive interview with ARISE News, where he reflected on the conduct of the 2023 election and the credibility of the electoral process.
The NDC candidate said Nigerians had placed too much trust in INEC ahead of the election because of assurances given by the commission’s leadership.
According to Obi, INEC had assured Nigerians and the international community that it would conduct a credible and fair election.
He, however, alleged that Yakubu did not act in line with those assurances and instead worked for his political opponents.
“In 2023, we took things for granted. We believed INEC. We believed what they said they would do.
“The INEC Chairman convinced the world that he would do the right thing, when, in fact, he was working for the opposition.
“This time, we will only trust them by doing the right thing ourselves,” Obi said.
The allegation comes as political parties and candidates prepare for another electoral cycle, with scrutiny of the electoral process expected to remain a major issue.
Reflecting on the lessons of the 2023 election, Obi suggested that his camp would rely less on assurances from electoral authorities.
His comments indicate a greater emphasis on ensuring that electoral processes are monitored and properly followed rather than relying solely on commitments from officials.
The NDC candidate did not, in the remarks provided, identify specific evidence to support his allegation against the INEC chairman.
The claim therefore remains an allegation made by Obi during the interview.
Obi’s comments add to ongoing political discussions about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system and the role of institutions responsible for conducting elections.
