Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that “despite divergent opinions about the outcome of the (2023) election, the overall outlook suggests it is a fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy.” Yakubu added that this election was one of the most meticulously planned for in recent memory compared to past ones.

At a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) yesterday at INEC's Abuja headquarters, the organization's leader revealed this. Yakubu said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology utilized in the polls had a success rate of 98% compared to the 2019 Smart Card Readers' 29.2%.

He said: “Our record shows that these elections have produced the most diverse outcomes ever recorded since 1999. Today, five political parties produced state governors, seven parties won senatorial seats, eight are represented in the House of Representatives and nine are in state Houses of Assembly. The 10th National Assembly is the most diverse in party representation since 1999. 

“In some states around the country, different political parties control legislative and executive arms of government. What is clear from these records also is that the days of single-party dominance of our national politics are probably gone. Furthermore, many prominent candidates lost in the constituencies they contested, and political parties lost in some of their presumed strongholds.”

While acknowledging difficulties, Yakubu said they were structural, infrastructural, and human in nature. He said that the commission was resolved to overcome these problems as it got ready for upcoming elections.

He said that the electoral body is collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute criminals after the commission received 215 case files about infractions from the Nigeria Police Force.

Yunusa Ari, the suspended Adamawa REC, was the subject of a police report, according to Yakubu, and INEC will shortly take the necessary steps in his regard.

He claims that the NBA has already provided the commission with a list of 427 lawyers who have offered to provide pro bono services. According to him, the commission would provide a small sum to cover filing fees and other costs rather than the lawyers demanding legal fees.