Ambassadorial Appointment of Former INEC Chair, Sparks Debate on Electoral Integrity

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has appointed the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador, a move confirmed by the Senate in December 2025.

The appointment has sparked renewed concerns about electoral integrity and institutional neutrality in Nigeria.

Although the president is constitutionally empowered to make such appointments, critics argue that naming a former electoral umpire to a prestigious diplomatic post just months after overseeing the controversial 2023 general elections sends the wrong signal.

Yakubu’s tenure was marked by logistical failures, technological breakdowns, and delayed result transmission, the height of corruption and while courts upheld the election outcomes, public trust in the process remains deeply contested.

The appointment is seen as problematic for several reasons. It risks undermining public confidence in elections at a time of widespread civic disillusionment, low voter turnout, and declining trust in democratic institutions. It also raises fears that electoral officials may be politically rewarded, weakening the principle of impartiality that underpins credible elections.

Additionally, the Senate’s swift confirmation of the nomination, despite public objections, highlights weakening legislative oversight and checks on executive power. This pattern reflects broader regional trends of democratic backsliding and fragile institutional accountability.

Experts warn that the decision could deepen public cynicism, accelerate political disengagement, especially among young people and reinforce narratives of elite collusion.

To address these risks, reforms such as cooling-off periods for electoral officials, stronger legislative scrutiny, stricter rules on political affiliation, and greater transparency in electoral governance have been proposed to help restore trust and protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions.