Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has issued a grave warning that Nigeria could face civil unrest if the federal government proceeds with an alleged plan to appoint a controversial retired Court of Appeal judge as the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, Galadima expressed deep concern over what he described as credible rumours surrounding the federal government’s choice of a replacement for the outgoing INEC chairman.

 

“Come November, there are rumours all over the place that this government is nominating a just retired Court of Appeal judge who is known for notoriety to be the chairman of INEC. I wish it is not true,” he said.

 

Galadima warned that if the appointment goes ahead, it could plunge the country into political turmoil.

 

“Because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war in this country,” he stated emphatically.

 

The NNPP stalwart accused the current administration of gross disregard for democratic norms and the rule of law. He criticized the government’s handling of recent appointments and its perceived manipulation of electoral processes.

 

“So you can see that this government has no respect for the rule of law. And we cannot be in a country where the government does not respect the law,” Galadima lamented.

 

He further claimed that INEC has already been compromised in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing to past controversial appointments within the commission.

 

“The INEC chairman has already rigged the election for APC. They brought somebody that is the secretary of the party that went to court for APC as acting national chairman, and he was rewarded with chairman of INEC,” Galadima alleged.

 

He argued that the proposed nomination of a judge with a “tainted record” would destroy any remaining public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

 

“If this man is appointed INEC chairman, then forget about elections in Nigeria. Because there would be no elections in this country, and it will create chaos,” he warned.

 

Galadima called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject any attempt to undermine the integrity of the country’s democratic institutions.

 

“We cannot allow somebody that has a record of notoriety to be imposed on us as INEC chairman,” he insisted.

 

The Presidency and INEC have yet to respond to Galadima’s allegations as of the time of this report.

 

With tensions mounting ahead of the November timeline hinted at by Galadima, political observers say the government may need to tread carefully to avoid deepening existing divisions within the polity.