Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a prominent banker and economist, has raised concerns over actions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning they could undermine Nigeria's democracy. In a statement issued on Friday, Hayatu-Deen criticised recent INEC decisions, which he argued are eroding the integrity of the nation's electoral system. He described the current democratic space as increasingly constricted, pointing to specific moves by the electoral body that lack transparency. Hayatu-Deen did not detail every action by INEC but stressed that the cumulative effect threatens public trust in elections. He called for urgent reassessment of the commission's conduct to preserve democratic norms.
Hayatu-Deen's warning about INEC's direction hits at a growing unease among independent voices. When a seasoned technocrat like him speaks, it is not about partisan politics but the slow weakening of institutions. His criticism reflects a broader concern: if INEC continues without course correction, Nigerians may soon view election outcomes as predetermined rather than earned. That shift in perception alone could destabilise the foundation of democratic legitimacy.
