The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has called for far-reaching reforms to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Baba-Ahmed said INEC must be strengthened and shielded from undue political interference to enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
He advocated a review of the process for appointing the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), arguing that the current system gives the executive excessive influence over the electoral body.
“The moment you hand over an electoral body to a partisan administration that wants to retain power, you create serious questions about its neutrality,” he said.
The former INEC Secretary also called for greater financial autonomy for the commission, insisting that INEC should be allowed to present and defend its budget directly before the National Assembly without executive interference.
Baba-Ahmed further urged authorities to impose stiffer penalties on politicians and other individuals involved in electoral fraud and violence, noting that the persistence of electoral offences is largely due to the lack of accountability for offenders.
“Politicians who compromise the electoral process must face the consequences of their actions. The culture of impunity must end,” he said.
He warned that elections lacking credibility could further erode public trust in democratic institutions and weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.
According to him, comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening institutions such as INEC will form a key part of the PRP’s agenda for restructuring and improving governance in the country.
