Sam Amadi Defends Presidential Autonomy Amid INEC Voter Register Controversy

As concerns mount regarding the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has cautioned against shifting blame toward the executive branch. In an interview with Arise News, Amadi emphasized that President Bola Tinubu should be viewed strictly as a political competitor rather than an overseer of electoral mechanics.

The Separation of Executive and Electoral Duties

Amadi argued that the responsibility for maintaining a credible voter register lies solely with INEC. He stated that the President has no direct mandate to intervene in the commission’s internal processes. According to Amadi, holding the President accountable for electoral irregularities conflates the role of the regulator with that of the participants. “The president is a competitor, so don’t ask the president to come and do anything,” Amadi noted, adding that if the regulator fails, it is the regulator’s duty to rectify the situation.

Concerns Over Register Integrity

The controversy centers on reports of suspicious fluctuations in voter numbers. Amadi highlighted specific concerns, including claims that some polling units saw registration figures jump from 400 to 1,500. Furthermore, he pointed to public skepticism surrounding the reported total of 103 million registered voters. These discrepancies, he warned, threaten to undermine the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which relies on the accuracy of the register to function effectively.

A Call for Independent Auditing

To address the growing distrust, Amadi proposed that INEC take the following steps:

• Public Accountability: The INEC chairman should publicly address the irregularities and accept responsibility.
• Independent Audit: The commission should commission a transparent, non-partisan audit of its systems.
• Professional Involvement: Amadi suggested that bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria could provide the necessary technical oversight to ensure credibility.

Preserving Voter Engagement

Amadi expressed concern that the current controversy could reverse recent gains in civic participation. He noted that there has been a positive trend of increased interest in the electoral process, particularly among Nigeria’s youth. He warned that if INEC fails to act decisively, the resulting distrust could lead to renewed voter apathy, ultimately weakening the democratic process ahead of future elections.

Conclusion

While the debate over the voter register continues, the consensus from analysts like Amadi remains that the burden of proof and correction rests with the electoral commission. By prioritizing transparency and inviting external professional scrutiny, INEC faces a critical juncture in its efforts to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral infrastructure.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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