With Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC chairman ending next month, Nigerians are keenly watching to see who President Bola Tinubu will pick as his successor. Yakubu, who was appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, is Nigeria’s longest-serving electoral umpire.

The Constitution states that the INEC chairman must be a person of “unquestionable integrity” and at least 50 years old. While Tinubu has kept his choice close to his chest, sources say the presidency is weighing several names from different geopolitical zones.

Key Contenders

• Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman (North Central): A Court of Appeal judge known for controversial rulings, including on Kano’s emirate crisis and Abdullahi Ganduje’s suspension.
• Professor Lai Olurode (South West): A retired professor of sociology and former INEC National Commissioner with decades of academic and governance experience.
• Sam Olumekun (South West): Current INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, and former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo and Lagos.
• Kenneth Ukeagu (South East): Former INEC Director of Procurement with over three decades of service.
• Professor Bashiru Olamilekan (South West): Earlier rumored to be Yakubu’s replacement, though the presidency denied the report.

Zoning Debate

Since Nigeria’s independence, no president has appointed an INEC chairman from his own region. With allegations of Tinubu favoring the South West in recent appointments, picking someone from his zone could stir political tension. Notably, only the South West and North Central have never produced a substantive INEC chairman.

Concerns and Reactions

Opposition figures like Buba Galadima have warned against appointing certain controversial judges, claiming it could spark unrest. Analysts also argue that the current process—where the president appoints the INEC boss—undermines the commission’s independence.

Political analysts stress that beyond zoning or religion, what matters most is credibility, neutrality, and independence, especially with the 2027 general elections fast approaching.