The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended plans for a nationwide voter revalidation exercise initially set to begin on April 13, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission directed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to halt all publicity and preparatory activities for the exercise. Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu responded to the suspension in a post on X on Sunday, calling it a "welcome reversal" and addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directly. "Well done, PBAT, for agreeing to be a loser on the ill-conceived voter's card revalidation," Shehu wrote. He acknowledged that the reversal shows the president can respond to public opinion, stating, "It appears PBAT can decide to listen to public objections on certain issues like his reversal of the ill-conceived voters card revalidation." However, Shehu criticised Tinubu for disregarding other widespread public concerns. "He has ignored several other public outcries, such as his lopsided public appointments, lopsided project execution, lopsided spending of foreign and local loans," he said. Shehu urged the president to consistently heed majority opinion, citing Exodus 18:19 and praying that Tinubu be guided by "the spirit of truth" in decision-making.
Mahdi Shehu's praise for Tinubu's reversal on voter revalidation rings hollow given the president's continued silence on deeper governance flaws. The fact that a single policy retreat is framed as democratic responsiveness, while lopsided appointments and spending persist, suggests selective accountability. Nigerians should question why only loud public backlash triggers action, not systemic fairness. A president who listens only when pressured sets a low bar for leadership.
