Jega Asks: Is INEC Part Of Scheme To Destroy Opposition Parties?

By Ayodele Oni

Political Analyst, Mahmud Jega has cautioned  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the ongoing crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) saying it is being deliberately orchestrated to weaken Nigeria’s opposition bloc.

Jega, who stated this when he featured as one of the panelists on Arise News programme ‘Prime Time”, specifically warned INEC against actions that could completely erode public trust in it, stressing that the commission must maintain its expected neutral position which should at all time be above suspicion.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega therefore challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

The leadership crisis leaked when INEC announced that it derecognized the David Mark led executive of the ADC citing Court ruling.

ADC has also accused INEC of taking side in the crisis insisting that it would go ahead with the planned national convention with or without presence of officials of the commission.

Jega, who was part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president 2023 presidential campaign Media Team, noted that INEC’s handling of opposition party developments has so far raised serious concerns.

According to Jega; “A proposed platform, ADA, was allegedly stalled for two years before political actors shifted to ADC—only to face fresh hurdles.

“The impression INEC is giving is that it is part of a scheme to destroy all opposition parties,” he emphasised.

Jega, therefore, challenged INEC to act with caution to avoid undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

His remarks come amid growing tension within opposition circles and stakeholders’ warning that any perceived bias by the electoral commission could further worsen political divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.