Veteran political leader and 2019 presidential candidate, Chief Peter Ameh, has issued a damning indictment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of compromising its constitutional independence by involving the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in the construction of its new national headquarters.
In a blistering statement released Tuesday, the former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) described the move as a “dangerous regression” that could erode public trust and derail preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“This partnership is a direct assault on INEC’s autonomy,” Chief Ameh declared.
“Allowing a politically supervised agency to fund and construct INEC’s headquarters sets a precedent that undermines electoral credibility and independence.”
Chief Ameh pointed to Sections 158(1) and 81(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee INEC’s operational and financial independence through direct allocations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He also cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which explicitly shield the commission from political interference.
His fiercest criticism was aimed at the FCDA, an agency under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, currently headed by Minister Nyesom Wike, a known political heavyweight. Ameh warned that the arrangement could expose INEC to “subtle manipulation, undue influence, and conflicts of interest.”
“We cannot build a credible electoral future on foundations laid by politically supervised entities,” he said.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar—it is about the soul of our democracy.”
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu had previously defended the arrangement, referencing historical precedent during the commission’s early relocation from Lagos to Abuja. But Chief Ameh dismissed that defense as “outdated and inconsistent with modern constitutional standards.”
> “What was acceptable decades ago is no longer defensible in a post-2022 Electoral Act Nigeria,” he said.
“We must move forward, not backward.”
Ameh urged INEC to terminate the FCDA arrangement and instead utilize its constitutionally guaranteed funding to execute the project independently. He also called on the National Assembly to intervene and ensure the commission’s infrastructure priorities are fully captured in its annual budget, free from external interference.
Beyond the structural concerns, Ameh took a swipe at INEC’s internal priorities, accusing the commission of focusing more on buildings than on its human capital.
“You cannot build democratic credibility with underpaid, undertrained staff,” he said.
“INEC must invest in the people who make elections possible—not just the walls that house them.”
He concluded with a stark warning ahead of the 2027 elections:
“Any erosion of INEC’s independence, no matter how subtle, is a threat to democracy itself. If we fail to protect our institutions today, we will have no moral ground to demand credible elections tomorrow.”
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had yet to respond to the concerns raised in Chief Ameh’s statement.