Nigerians wants new electoral body Chair

Nigeria

Features

With fewer than 60 days remaining before Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s second and final term as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ends this October 2025, Nigeria faces a pivotal moment for its democracy.

The appointment of the next INEC Chairman is more than filling a vacancy; it demands leadership that inspires confidence, ensures impartiality, and upholds election integrity in one of Africa’s largest democracies. This critical role requires someone with deep expertise, unquestioned integrity, and regional representation that reflects Nigeria’s diversity. Professor Terhemen Aboiyar stands out as the clear, compelling choice to lead INEC forward.

Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the INEC Chairmanship has rotated among men from diverse regions—Abel Guobadia from Edo State (South-South), Maurice Iwu from Abia State (Southeast), Attahiru Jega from Kebbi State (Northwest), and Mahmood Yakubu from Bauchi State (Northeast). However, the North Central geopolitical zone remains the only major region yet to produce an INEC Chairman, despite its large population, cultural richness, and political importance. This omission has left a significant gap in reflecting Nigeria’s federal character in this vital national institution.

Professor Terhemen Aboiyar, a native of the North Central zone, is an outstanding academic with a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Leicester, UK. His expertise in computational mathematics, statistical modeling, and numerical analysis fits the increasing technical demands of Nigeria’s electoral system. In an era of biometric voter verification, electronic vote transmission, and real-time data validation, his skills are essential to modernize INEC’s technological operations.

What makes Professor Aboiyar’s candidacy especially significant is not only his technical capacity but also his proven incorruptibility and political neutrality. Nigerian elections have long suffered mistrust due to perceived political interference. Aboiyar’s career, marked by impartiality and straightforwardness—often described as someone who “speaks the truth as it is, straight like an arrow”—offers the professionalism Nigerians urgently need at the helm of their electoral commission.

Importantly, the South West zone may technically be excluded from the INEC Chairmanship choice in 2027 if President Tinubu opts for reelection, creating a unique opening for the North Central zone, where Professor Aboiyar hails from, to take the lead. This opportunity to break the decades-long exclusion of the North Central region at the top of INEC is symbolic and essential for national unity and the fair regional representation Nigeria’s federal structure demands.

The constitutional process for appointing the INEC Chairman involves a presidential nomination, vetting by the Department of State Services, advice from the Council of State, and confirmation by the Senate. These layers exist to ensure the appointee’s competence and acceptability. It is crucial that these safeguards be applied rigorously to favor a candidate of Professor Aboiyar’s expertise, integrity, and regional background.

Moreover, Professor Aboiyar understands democracy as a continuous process that requires more than credible elections; it demands an informed and engaged electorate. He champions strong voter education campaigns to combat apathy and empower citizens. His leadership at INEC will ensure a deepened democratic participation well beyond the voting booth.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, INEC’s leadership will face extraordinary challenges in managing complex multi-tiered elections. These demands call for a Chairman of intellectual excellence, ethical clarity, and a commitment to inclusive governance. Professor Terhemen Aboiyar embodies these qualities fully.

In the weeks ahead, the nation must seize this historic chance to appoint a leader who combines unrivaled expertise and integrity with a breakthrough regional balance that Nigeria urgently needs. Such a choice will affirm Nigeria’s dedication to unity, transparency, and democratic progress.

Nigeria’s electoral future and democratic resilience hinge on sound leadership at INEC. The time to make that inclusive, inspiring choice is now. Professor Terhemen Aboiyar is exactly the leader Nigeria deserves as its next INEC Chairman.