Okonkwo Criticises Tinubu's Defence of INEC

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised President Bola Tinubu for defending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the electoral body should be allowed to respond to concerns about its own credibility. His remarks followed the President's recent assertion that INEC remains an independent institution despite criticism from opposition figures.

Speaking on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo said it was inappropriate for the President to act as INEC's defender, insisting that the commission had yet to satisfactorily address controversies surrounding the conduct of the 2023 general election. According to him, Nigerians still have unresolved questions about the technical glitches experienced during the polls and the commission's handling of the electoral process.

Okonkwo also recalled that Tinubu and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously criticised INEC before coming to power, arguing that the President's current defence of the commission represents a significant shift in position. He maintained that public confidence in INEC should be earned through transparency and accountability rather than political endorsements.

The ADC chieftain further criticised the Tinubu administration's performance on governance and security, claiming that these issues could affect the President's prospects in the 2027 general elections. He also accused the ruling APC of attempting to weaken opposition parties through legal and political means, although he expressed confidence that the ADC would withstand such challenges.

The comments come days after President Tinubu, during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, defended INEC's neutrality and dismissed concerns over the commission's independence, describing critics as people who were "afraid of their own shadows."