As Nigeria prepares for the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on November 9, 2025, attention is already turning to the question of succession. Professor Yakubu, whose leadership will officially end after the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, has overseen reforms that introduced technology into the electoral process and strengthened transparency. His successor will not only inherit an institution but also the weighty task of consolidating these gains, correcting lapses, and sustaining public confidence in elections.
A look at the history of the commission’s leadership since 1998 reveals a pattern of regional distribution:
- South-South: 1998 – 2005
- South-East: 2005 – 2010
- North-West: 2010 – 2015
- North-East: 2015 – 2025
Conspicuously, the South-West has never produced a Chairman of INEC. The North-Central has also not had the opportunity. In a federation that rests on equity, balance, and inclusion, this gap is glaring.
The case for a South-West appointment goes beyond the mathematics of rotation. It speaks to fairness, federal character, and the value of drawing on the region’s strength in institutional reforms, governance, and accountability. The South-West has built a reputation for judicial excellence, administrative discipline, and progressive ideas in both public service and civil society. The zone has a rich pool of credible and competent individuals who can provide the leadership required at this crucial moment in Nigeria’s democracy.
A Chairman from the South-West would bring clear advantages:
- Equity and Cohesion: Addressing a longstanding imbalance will reinforce the principle that every region has a role in managing the nation’s democracy.
- Administrative Capacity: The South-West’s tradition of disciplined and reform-oriented leadership is essential for modernising electoral administration.
- Public Confidence: An appointment based on merit, while reflecting inclusivity, would reassure Nigerians of the fairness of the process and strengthen trust in elections.
The period after Yakubu offers an opportunity to remind Nigerians that INEC belongs to all. The government, political leaders, civil society, and stakeholders must insist that the next appointment embodies both competence and balance.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, handing leadership of INEC to the South-West would not only correct a historical oversight but also promote unity, fairness, and confidence in the ballot.
~Inaolaji Akinloye Adisa, FCIFC, is an accountant, political economist, and public affairs analyst.
