Olawepo-Hashim calls for disbandment of INEC over appeal court judgment

A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called for the disbandment of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following a recent Court of Appeal judgment on the Electoral Act.

Olawepo-Hashim said the appellate court’s decision exposed fundamental flaws in the administration of elections and raised serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral body.

In a statement, he argued that the judgment had rendered key provisions of the Electoral Act ineffective, insisting that far-reaching reforms were necessary to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to him, the ruling highlighted the need for a complete overhaul of INEC, which he accused of failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“The implication of this judgment is that the current structure of INEC has become untenable. The commission should be disbanded and replaced with a more transparent and accountable institution capable of conducting credible elections,” he said.

Olawepo-Hashim maintained that electoral reforms must go beyond amendments to the law and address what he described as systemic weaknesses within the electoral management body.

He stressed that democracy can only thrive when elections are conducted in a manner that reflects the genuine will of the people, adding that Nigerians deserve an electoral system that guarantees transparency, fairness and accountability.

The NNPP chieftain urged relevant authorities to study the implications of the Appeal Court judgment and take urgent steps to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.

He also called on political stakeholders, civil society organisations and citizens to support efforts aimed at reforming the electoral process and safeguarding the integrity of future elections.