Former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has described the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body as one of the most difficult positions in the country, citing sustained public criticism and political pressure faced by successive chairmen.
In a post shared on X on Saturday, Sani noted that chairing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes with intense scrutiny, regardless of performance or outcome.
He observed that from the days of the defunct Federal Electoral Commission to the present INEC structure, electoral umpires have consistently faced backlash from different political interests.
Reflecting on past leadership, Sani said Maurice Iwu endured significant criticism during his tenure, arguably more than any other electoral chief in Nigeria’s history.
He also referenced the tenure of Attahiru Jega, noting how public perception shifted based on electoral outcomes.
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According to him, Jega faced hostility in parts of the country after declaring Goodluck Jonathan winner of the 2011 presidential election but was later widely praised following the victory of Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Sani added that the pattern has continued with recent leadership transitions, mentioning that former chairman Mahmud Yakubu has stepped aside, while the current chairman, Joash Amupitan, is now facing mounting criticism.
He argued that Nigeria’s political culture often frames elections in binary terms—victory or rejection—leaving little room for acceptance of defeat.
The former senator singled out Jonathan as the only political figure to have openly conceded defeat in Nigeria’s presidential elections, describing the gesture as rare in the country’s democratic history.
Sani concluded that regardless of who occupies the INEC chairmanship position, public approval is often determined by electoral outcomes, suggesting that even a neutral or exemplary figure would still face criticism from losing parties.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over electoral integrity, political accountability, and the role of institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.