Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called for restraint in criticizing the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stressing that Nigerians should focus on praying for improved leadership in the commission’s next phase.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Monday, September 29, 2025, Sani addressed the heated debates surrounding Yakubu’s legacy as he prepares to exit office.
The senator noted that the electoral umpire under Yakubu oversaw transitions of power that went beyond the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He recalled that during his tenure, Kano State was won by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abia by the Labour Party (LP), Anambra by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osun by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Kaduna and the federal government remained under the control of the APC.
“Don’t exhaust all your anger on Yakubu, pray that his successor does better than him,” Sani wrote, before adding that political history often vindicates past leaders once they leave the stage. According to him, “we live in a world of ‘good old days,’ where the past is most times better than the present.”
The lawmaker’s remarks strike a conciliatory tone amid sharp divisions about Yakubu’s handling of Nigeria’s electoral process. Critics have accused the outgoing chairman of presiding over elections marred by logistical lapses, technical hitches, and disputed results, particularly in the 2023 general elections. However, his defenders point to the plurality of outcomes under his watch, which saw opposition parties gain ground in states previously considered impenetrable.
Sani’s intervention reflects a broader concern about the future of Nigeria’s electoral system as Yakubu’s tenure winds down. The choice of his successor, observers argue, will be critical to shaping public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
By urging Nigerians to shift their gaze from anger to hope, Sani appears to be cautioning against dismissing Yakubu’s mixed legacy too hastily. Instead, he frames the moment as an opportunity for reflection on lessons learned and a renewed demand for accountability from whoever takes the reins at INEC next. See, More, Here>>>>
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