2027: Tinubu not ready for credible polls – Buba Galadima

A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has said the Tinubu administration is not ready to conduct a free and fair election in 2027. Galadima stated this yesterday during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led government has “captured state institutions” to its advantage. […]

A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has said the Tinubu administration is not ready to conduct a free and fair election in 2027.

Galadima stated this yesterday during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led government has “captured state institutions” to its advantage.

“This government is not ready to organise a free and fair election. From their antics, you know how they’re destabilising the parties. That suggests that they don’t want an opposition at all during the election,” he said.

Galadima also warned against any plan to appoint a “controversial person” as next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it could destabilise the country.

“I wish it is not true, because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war,” he said. He, however, didn’t mention the person.

Responding to the issue of early campaigns by political parties, Galadima faulted INEC for failing to enforce campaign regulations. “This issue of campaigning before being allowed by INEC was started by the government of the day. That suggests that INEC cannot be an umpire in a political environment as we have today,” he said,

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, could not be reached for comments on the claims.

But President Tinubu had during the recent flag off of the construction of new INEC headquarters in Abuja said, “The new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC’s autonomy, capacity, and growth to provide not just a home but a conducive hub for planning, training, and transparency in electoral administration.

“We are committed to ensuring that INEC is fully equipped not only in infrastructure but also in law, policy, and resources to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness, and excellence.”