In addition to its own internal contradictions, the INEC is made to carry the perceived malfeasances of political contenders. The two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, – have, expectedly, been accusing it of colluding with their opponents to “rig” the general elections.

THE atmosphere of great disappointment occasioned by the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections from February 16 to Saturday, February 23, 2019 has understandably put major political actors and the electorate on edge.

IT is said that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat its lessons. Nigeria has, once again, proved it is incapable of learning from its past mistakes. Repetition of past vices appears to have been elevated to a “made in Nigeria” tradition. 

THE Islamic State in West Africa, ISWA, the international affiliate of the Boko Haram terror outfit, continued its audacious assaults in the North-East on Tuesday,  February 12, 2019, when it ambushed Governor Kashim Shettima’s convoy between Dikwa and Gamboru-Ngala highway, Borno State, near the border with Cameroon.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has repeatedly told Nigerians and other concerned international stakeholders that the electoral umpire is ready to conduct a general election that will be adjudged free, fair, credible and acceptable. Professor Yakubu has always reiterated this since he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, though some of the elections conducted under him, particularly the Osun State governorship poll, did not, in the estimation of some people, live up to expectation.