Fubara accuses INEC of failing to enforce defection law

Bode George, others call for electoral reforms   Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, alongside a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, and other political leaders, has called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general election. Fubara, who has been at odds with his state lawmakers who defected to the All […]

• Bode George, others call for electoral reforms

 

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, alongside a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, and other political leaders, has called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general election.

Fubara, who has been at odds with his state lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of selectively enforcing laws on political defections.

Speaking at the sixth edition of Freedom Online’s annual lecture, themed Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led?, Fubara—represented by former Rivers State deputy governor, Engr. Tela Ikuru—criticised INEC’s handling of defectors.

“The judiciary, legislature, security agencies, and electoral bodies often operate under political influence, weakening democracy,” he said.

“INEC has failed to uphold the law on political defections. According to the constitution, lawmakers who leave the party on which they were elected should lose their seats. However, INEC’s selective enforcement raises concerns about its neutrality,” he added.

The electoral umpire is yet to respond to this accusation as of the time of filing this report.

On his part, Chief Bode George traced electoral manipulation to the 1962 Western Region crisis, arguing that flawed elections have plagued Nigeria for decades.

Keynote speaker, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, attributed poor governance to a lack of knowledge among leaders, urging them to honour public trust.