“Sam Amadi Slams Presidential Aspirants, Demands Urgent INEC Reform”

Babatunji Wusu –

– Sam Amadi questions the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, urging reform of INEC.
– He asserts that serious presidential candidates for 2027 must address INEC’s shortcomings.
– His comments follow the controversial declaration of Monday Okpebholo as Edo State’s governor.
– The PDP has rejected the election results, alleging manipulation of vote reporting.
– Amadi criticizes both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi for failing to advocate for necessary reforms.

Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has expressed serious concerns regarding the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. He contends that any individual seeking the presidency in 2027 who does not prioritize addressing the deficiencies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks genuine ambition.

Amadi’s comments came in the wake of INEC declaring Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election. He took to X to assert, “Anyone thinking of being the President of Nigeria in 2027 and not considering disbanding this @inecnigeria is not serious.” This sentiment echoes the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has rejected the election results, with state collation agent Tony Iyoha alleging that delays in reporting results from Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha local councils were intentional efforts to manipulate the final figures.

Having previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Amadi has highlighted the need for reform within INEC to ensure a fair electoral process. He criticized both Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party for their inaction regarding necessary reforms in election management structures and culture.