With barely two years to the 2027 general elections, a group of youths under a coalition has called for a national town hall meeting with President Bola Tinubu to deliberate on the appointment of the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Generation Z-led coalition indicated that the conventional political trajectory of appointing the INEC chairman, national commissioners, and resident electoral commissioners could no longer be accepted.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, national coordinator Joseph Agama said the movement was compelled by growing youth distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“Most young people are disengaged because they don’t trust the process,” Agama said. “And they don’t trust the process because they don’t trust the people leading INEC.”
He underscored that electoral integrity begins with leadership that is independent and insulated from partisanship. In his opinion, the current arrangement in which the president handpicks INEC’s leadership for appointment makes the commission vulnerable to political manipulation.
“If appointments are politically motivated, the system can easily be manipulated,” he warned. “We want an open process involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian people.”
Another group member, Virtue Utuk, urged President Tinubu to “lead differently” by embracing inclusivity in governance.
“We demand a multi-stakeholder engagement with civil society, religious and traditional leaders, and indeed citizens themselves,” stated Utuk. “The president is empowered to appoint by the constitution, but democracy thrives on inclusion.”
She reminded the president that the current chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will be retiring in November 2025 and that the appointment of his successor will make or mar the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“Mr. President, we are Nigeria’s democratic future and present,” Utuk said. “We want to trust the ballot. Free and fair elections are democracy’s lifeblood. History will judge the actions taken today give us reason to believe, and we will convert apathy into action.”
