Amaechi Accuses INEC of Colluding with APC to Hijack Elections
Former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred controversy with a bold accusation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aiding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in hijacking Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking during a recent interview on Arise Television, Amaechi alleged that the current INEC leadership under Chairman Mahmood Yakubu lacks neutrality and has become a tool for state capture.
In his remarks, Amaechi stated that the APC, under current conditions, would not have succeeded in winning the 2015 presidential election if Yakubu had been INEC chairman at the time. Drawing a sharp comparison between the current administration and that of former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega, Amaechi said the transparent environment fostered by Jega enabled the opposition to register the APC and eventually secure a victory against the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He expressed concern that such fairness no longer exists under Yakubu, whom he compared unfavorably to former controversial INEC boss Maurice Iwu. According to Amaechi, “The current chairman of INEC, if he was the chairman in 2015, we wouldn’t have won. The level of bias and inefficiency we see today is alarming. INEC is no longer independent. It is now a tool of state capture being used to manipulate elections.”
He further accused INEC of systematically restricting the democratic space, making it difficult for new parties and opposition figures to gain fair access to the electoral process. “We went through all the processes during Jega’s tenure to register APC, and he allowed the process to succeed. The current INEC boss would not have allowed that. Even if you follow the rules, he will find a reason to disqualify you,” he claimed.
Amaechi’s statement has triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum. Members of the opposition PDP seized on his comments to reinforce their long-standing allegations that INEC operates under the influence of the APC. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, recently echoed similar sentiments, accusing INEC of undermining Nigeria’s democracy through its actions and omissions.
Political analysts have noted that Amaechi’s remarks reflect growing internal dissent within the APC and may signal deeper dissatisfaction with the current leadership, both in the party and in the electoral system. The timing of the statement is also significant, as political actors begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, INEC has not formally responded to the allegations. However, the commission has previously insisted on its impartiality, citing recent reforms and improvements in electoral technology as evidence of its commitment to credible elections.
As public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process continues to face scrutiny, Amaechi’s comments are expected to fuel debates over the integrity of democratic institutions and the need for further electoral reforms. Whether this controversy leads to tangible change or is absorbed into the broader political rhetoric remains to be seen as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
