Hakeem Baba-Ahmed calls for INEC reforms, urging independence, financial autonomy and tougher sanctions ahead of the 2027 elections
National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has called for sweeping reforms to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Also read: Oshiomhole accuses Akpabio of Senate removal plot
Baba-Ahmed made the call in a statement on Sunday, June 14, 2026, stressing that credible elections depend on insulating INEC from political interference and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
He argued that the current system of appointing the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners gives the executive arm excessive influence over the electoral body.
“The moment you hand over an electoral body to a partisan administration that wants to retain power, you create serious questions about its neutrality,” he said.
The PRP chairman also demanded greater financial autonomy for INEC, insisting that the commission should be allowed to defend its budget directly before the National Assembly without executive control.
He further urged authorities to impose stricter penalties on electoral offenders, warning that the continued failure to punish rigging and violence has encouraged a culture of impunity in Nigeria’s elections.
According to him, electoral misconduct persists largely because offenders are rarely held accountable for their actions.
“Politicians who compromise the electoral process must face the consequences of their actions. The culture of impunity must end,” he added.
Also read: Oshiomhole accuses Akpabio of Senate removal plot
Baba-Ahmed maintained that meaningful reform of INEC remains essential if Nigeria is to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
