“Nigeria Risks Civil War”: Galadima Warns Against Appointment of ‘Notorious’ Judge As INEC Chairman

NNPP chieftain, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reacted to the claims suggesting that he has been removed from office.

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Amid the debate about Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s replacement, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has warned that an alleged move by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to appoint a controversial retired judge as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could plunged the nation into crisis.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Monday, September 15, Galadima alleged that Tinubu’s government was considering installing a retired Court of Appeal judge with a questionable reputation to head the electoral body.

“Come November, there are rumours all over the place that this government is nominating a just retired court of appeals judge who is known for notoriety to be the chairman of INEC. I wish it is not true.

Read also

2027 election: ‘Only 2 from the north,’ Buhari’s ex-aide shares full list of INEC chairmen

“Because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war in this country,” he said.

Speaking further, the NNPP stalwart accused Tinubu’s administration of having no regard for the rule of law.

“And we cannot be in a country where the government does not respect the law.”

In a twist, Galadima also criticised Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC, alleging that the electoral body has already been compromised in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him:

“The INEC chairman has already rigged the election for APC. They brought somebody that is the secretary of the party that went to court for APC as acting national chairman, and he was rewarded with chairman of INEC.”

Somebody with a record of notoriety cannot be INEC chair

Galadima therefore argued that such developments pose a direct threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system and warned of dire consequences if the alleged plan goes forward.

Read also

2027 election: Atiku coalition speaks on dumping ADC for another new party

“We cannot allow somebody that has a record of notoriety to be imposed on us as INEC chairman,” he declared.

2027 election: Full list of INEC chairmen

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, will step down in either October or November 2025 after serving the maximum two terms, totalling 10 years.

Yakubu’s departure and likely successor is drawing attention because out of the 12 chairmen who have led INEC since its inception, 10 have come from the south, while only two have come from the north.

Speculation centres on whether President Tinubu might appoint someone from his own region, the southwest, or opt for the northcentral.

Read more about INEC here:

INEC announces new job vacancies

In another development, Legit.ng reported that INEC has opened applications for ad-hoc staff roles ahead of the Anambra 2025 governorship election, with registration until October 5.

Read also

2027 election: Segun Showunmi mentions party he belongs to as he promotes ‘Alternative Movement’

Eligible positions include SPOs, POs, APOs, RAC Managers, and RATECHs, open to corps members, civil servants, students, and INEC staff.

Source: Legit.ng