Barrister Chukwudi Ezeobika, former National Legal Adviser of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), has pointed fingers at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the mass exodus of Nigerian youths from the country.
He specifically called for an investigation into the conduct of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC National Chairman, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement to newsmen in Abuja, Barrister Ezeobika accused Professor Yakubu and the INEC commissioners of contributing to the loss of hope among Nigerian youths and their decision to leave the country en masse.
He criticized INEC’s handling of elections, alleging partisanship, misinformation, and deliberate misleading of the electorate.
Ezeobika highlighted various issues, including INEC’s supervision of parallel party primaries, declaration of false or unpopular candidates as winners, and misleading information about election processes such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and IReV.
He emphasized the financial and personal costs incurred due to INEC’s alleged inadequacies, incompetence, and unwholesome activities.
Calling for a thorough investigation, Ezeobika urged the EFCC to probe the funds allocated to INEC for the conduct of elections under Professor Yakubu’s leadership.
He also called for scrutiny of the personal financial activities of Professor Yakubu and the commissioners.
The statement underscores growing concerns about the integrity and effectiveness of Nigeria’s electoral system. With calls for accountability and transparency, the demand for an EFCC investigation reflects the need to restore public trust in the electoral process and ensure that electoral bodies fulfill their mandates in a fair and impartial manner.
