The Director of the Abuja School of Political Thoughts, Dr. Sam Amadi, has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with addressing the shortcomings and lack of due diligence seen during the 2023 general election in preparation for the upcoming off-cycle gubernatorial elections in the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi.
This was discussed over the weekend at the Centre for Public Policy and Research in Abuja, where Amadi made his remarks.
For example, he may say something like, “Today, we have seen various tribunals come down with judgement,” if he has doubts about the legitimacy of the elections that have taken place in these states recently.

Regardless of whether they sustain or cancel the election, most of these rulings have an evidentiary clarity regarding how INEC makes mistakes in some regions.
So here we are, on the cusp of yet another election, this one for governor in the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi. Just a few days ago, we heard that the Bayelsa election will be manually collated, despite INEC’s prior pledge to do transmission of this election, as they had promised at the presidential election. So, we’re back to the same overconfidence and false claims. The recent tragic episode involving the deaths of Nigerian soldiers has made it clear that the security of many of these states, including Imo, is at risk.
Among the three, Imo State is currently the most traumatized by insecurity, and “we know that if elections are manipulated as they have been, it could spike into a new level of insecurities.”
Prof. Abiodun Adeniji, who also spoke at the occasion, echoed these sentiments, saying that the government should take steps to guarantee free and fair elections in the next off-cycle gubernatorial elections in November.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate