The nomination of a new chairman and commissioners for the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has led to resistance and protests from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday who claim that the nominees were card-carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement which was made through a bulletin released by Governor Mohammed Bago’s Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullbarqy Ebbo, stated that all appointments are subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
If confirmed, the newly constituted commission would be responsible for overseeing the 2027 local government elections in the state.
The list of nominees includes:
Engr Mohammed Jibrin Imam – Chairman
Barr M.A Liman – Permanent Commissioner 1
Nasiru Ubandiya – Permanent Commissioner 2
Yahaya Idris Abara – Permanent Commissioner 3
Capt Mohammed Baro – Permanent Commissioner 4
Kabiru Tanko Zama – Permanent Commissioner 5
Barr Amina Guar – Permanent Commissioner 6
Barr Ahmed Borgu – Permanent Commissioner 7
The PDP however, through its state Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman of Niger North Zone ‘C,’ Yahaya Ability, outrightly rejected the nomination, describing it as a deliberate move to compromise the electoral process.
At a press briefing, Ability questioned how a former APC state chairman and known party loyalist could be appointed to oversee an independent electoral body. Especially due to the controversy surrounding his detainment for misappropriation of funds.
The PDP stalwart reminded Governor Bago that his predecessors appointed neutral individuals to lead the electoral commission to ensure free and fair elections.
The PDP has demanded an immediate reversal of the appointments, warning that failure to do so will erode public trust in the electoral system.
Other aggrieved PDP members saw the move as a pre-arranged strategy to rig the 2027 elections and asked the state assembly to reject the appointments and ensure the integrity of the electoral body.
