A retired Brigadier General and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, John Sura, has argued that Nigeria must look beyond professors in appointing the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if it truly wants credible elections.
Sura, who was a governorship aspirant in the 2023 elections, told Tribune that the pattern of appointing academics has not solved Nigeria’s electoral credibility crisis.
“We have tested different professors as INEC chairman. We brought in Maurice Iwu, a professor of Political Science. We had Attahiru Jega, an activist and professor. The current one is a professor of History and International Relations. At some point we even had a lawyer. Yet the credibility problem persists,” he said.
He insisted that Nigeria needs a fresh approach, suggesting that respected judges or retired military officers with international experience in supervising elections could do a better job.
“If we truly want to see credibility, let us try someone outside academia. It could be a strong, respected judge—or even a retired military officer. These are people who are generally apolitical, who have spent their careers outside partisan politics,” he explained.
The PDP stalwart warned that if INEC continues with the same cycle of leadership, Nigeria risks more electoral chaos, especially in general elections where the stakes are higher.
“If the lapses are not addressed, there is a likelihood of serious problems. Unless we have someone with a brigade approach—serious, deep, and decisive—INEC may not deliver,” he cautioned.
Sura added that public confidence in elections would increase if Nigerians see transparency from INEC leadership.
“People will come out if they see a little level of transparency from the head of INEC. But when they see the same old system, where credibility is questionable, they will stay back,” he said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to act boldly by implementing reforms, including the recommendations of the Uwais panel, stressing that history would judge him by his ability to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“If Mr. President truly wants to leave a lasting legacy as one of the fathers of democracy in Nigeria, he must push through reforms now. Nigerians and the international community will applaud him for it,” Sura stated.
