Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has raised concerns over the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Galadima accused the federal government of prioritizing political maneuvering over governance, just two years into its tenure. He argued that INEC has become too weak to enforce electoral discipline, especially as members of the ruling party have allegedly begun premature politicking.
“Look at it, when INEC was INEC, when politicians started to heat the polity, they came out and warned them that they had not allowed politicking,” Galadima said. “Could it be worse? What is happening now – just two years into the life of this administration – is unprecedented. INEC doesn’t even have the muscle and the guts to call politicians to order because people in government are the ones that started.”
He further questioned INEC’s ability to uphold electoral integrity, stating:
“If they can’t stop politicians from gate-crashing or jumping the gun, how do you think they will have the liver to conduct a free and fair election?”
Galadima’s remarks come amid broader criticisms of INEC’s recent conduct. He previously alleged that the commission violated constitutional provisions by organizing by-elections beyond the three-month window mandated after a legislative vacancy.
According to Galadima, some of the August 16 by-elections were held nearly two years after the seats became vacant, including one in Kano State.
He urged Nigerians to challenge INEC’s actions in court, warning that such delays could render the elections null and void under constitutional scrutiny.
The NNPP stalwart also hinted at a strategic silence from opposition figures, suggesting that a political reckoning is imminent:
“That is why some of us are keeping quiet. We are waiting for the daytime, and when we start, the world will know that we are here.”
Galadima’s comments, according to a source, indicates that there are growing tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties increasingly vocal about what they perceive as institutional weaknesses and political overreach by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
