With the 2027 general elections less than two years away, a youth-driven coalition has called for an unprecedented town hall meeting with President Bola Tinubu to deliberate on the selection of the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Led predominantly by members of Generation Z, the coalition insists that the appointment process for the INEC chairman, along with national and resident electoral commissioners, must break away from traditional political practices.
At a press briefing held in Abuja yesterday, Joseph Agama, the national coordinator, revealed that the movement was born out of widespread skepticism among young Nigerians regarding the integrity of the electoral system.
“A significant number of young citizens remain disengaged because they lack faith in the electoral process,” Agama explained. “This distrust stems largely from doubts about the impartiality of those heading INEC.”
He emphasized that genuine credibility can only be achieved through leadership free from partisan bias.
Agama highlighted that the existing system, which grants the president sole authority to appoint INEC’s leadership, inherently risks turning the commission into a political tool.
“When appointments are driven by political agendas, the entire system becomes vulnerable to manipulation,” he warned. “We advocate for a selection process that actively involves traditional rulers, religious figures, civil society groups, and the broader Nigerian populace.”
The Gen Z-led initiative is actively rallying young Nigerians across the country to insist on an INEC leadership that commands trust and ensures elections that are transparent, impartial, and credible.
Virtue Utuk, another spokesperson for the group, called on President Tinubu to adopt a transformative leadership style by embracing a governance model rooted in inclusivity.
“We call for a collaborative approach that brings together civil society, traditional and religious authorities, and the citizenry at large.
“While the constitution vests appointment powers in the president, true democracy requires embracing inclusiveness,” she asserted.
Utuk reminded the president that the current INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is set to retire in November 2025, underscoring that the selection of his successor will be pivotal in shaping public trust ahead of the upcoming elections.
“Mr. President, we represent both the present and future of Nigeria’s democracy. We yearn to have confidence in the electoral process. We deserve a system that merits our trust.
“Free and credible elections are the cornerstone of any democracy.
“The decisions made today will be remembered by history. Provide us with reasons to believe, and this generation will convert disillusionment into active participation,” Utuk concluded.
