Photo: Prof Sam Amadi
By: Mandy Park
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Sam Amadi, has expressed concern over the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that its recent actions could create a perception of political bias against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Amadi raised the alarm in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, cautioning the electoral body against steps that could erode public confidence in the credibility and neutrality of the electoral process.
“@INECNigeria should not create the impression that it has a standing order from the government to stop @PeterObi from being on the presidential ballot,” Amadi wrote.
He questioned the timing of INEC’s renewed recognition of a Supreme Court ruling on the leadership of the Labour Party, noting that the commission appeared to revive the legal position only after Obi’s exit from the party.
“As soon as Peter Obi left the Labour Party, INEC has recognised again that the Supreme Court held that Abure’s tenure had expired,” Amadi stated.
According to him, INEC had remained silent on the same issue while Obi was still active within the party.
“While Obi lingered in LP, INEC played dead-brain,” he added, suggesting deliberate institutional inaction.
Amadi further drew parallels with the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging a similar pattern of selective responsiveness.
“Same with PDP. Once Obi is not available, it seems to resuscitate Kabiru’s rightful claim,” he said.
Describing the situation as troubling, Amadi warned that the “emerging script is worrisome,” stressing that INEC must demonstrate its independence. “INEC needs to prove it is not Tinubu’s tool,” he asserted.
He concluded by placing the issue within a wider African democratic context, noting that genuine independence of electoral management bodies remains a major challenge across the continent.
“In Africa, independence of electoral managers is rare to find,” Amadi stated.
