The South Unity Youth Coalition, consisting of various youth groups from the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria, has announced a mass protest on June 12, Democracy Day, to demand the removal of Professor Mahmoud Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The coalition believes that Professor Yakubu’s leadership has severely compromised the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and attributes numerous instances of electoral misconduct, voter intimidation, and result manipulation to his tenure, raising serious concerns among the Nigerian youth about the integrity of elections in the country.
A statement released by the Coordinator of the Coalition, Silas Maduke Clarkson, emphasized that these protests are crucial for safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic principles saying, “It would be a national disgrace for Nigeria to commemorate Democracy Day while tolerating an electoral body that has become synonymous with incompetence and lack of credibility.”
Clarkson further emphasized the necessity of the protests as a response to the glaring electoral misconduct and ineptitude displayed by INEC under Professor Yakubu’s leadership. He stated, “The coalition strongly believes that INEC’s reputation as the worst election agency in the country threatens Nigeria’s democracy and must be addressed urgently.”
The coalition’s statement also condemned the unacceptable practice of ignoring blatant disregard for electoral integrity by the institution responsible for ensuring free and fair elections.
“The coalition is therefore committed to holding INEC accountable and demands the immediate removal of Professor Yakubu to restore public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
“We call on all Nigerians who are concerned about the future of democracy in the country to join us in this mass protest on June 12 at the Unity Fountain, Abuja to be preceded by a world press conference on June 11th at Agura Hotel. It is imperative that the voices of the people are heard and that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.
“We also call on all concerned citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to join them in their quest for electoral reform and the removal of Professor Yakubu from his position. It is a call to action for all Nigerians who are tired of the status quo and who want to see a change in the way elections are conducted in the country.
“The INEC’s failures under Professor Yakubu’s tenure have sparked outrage among Nigerian youth, who view free and fair elections as a cornerstone of democracy. The call for his removal is driven by a genuine desire for transparent and accountable electoral practices. We believe that a leadership change at INEC is necessary to restore public trust in the electoral system and ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected in election outcomes.
“The mass protest is a bold and necessary step toward demanding accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system. It serves as a reminder to all Nigerians that our democracy is a precious gift that must be protected and nurtured by all citizens. The time has come for us to unite and demand the removal of those who do not uphold the principles of democracy and fair elections. Let us stand together on June 12 and make our voices heard for the sake of a better Nigeria.”
