From: Ambassador Auwal Muhammad Musa
National Youth Leader, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Date: November 1, 2025
Sir,
First, accept my congratulations on your recent appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Your assumption of office and early public remarks have drawn the attention of all Nigerians, especially the youth who represent the future of this democracy.
As the National Youth Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), I write not merely to congratulate you, but to speak as a voice of the opposition, to commend your promises, to highlight the public’s doubts, and to remind you that credibility in words must be proven through visible action.
1. Promises Are Not Enough, Credibility Must Be Earned
You have declared that “the integrity of our elections is non negotiable” and promised that “losers will congratulate winners.” These are noble words and we welcome them. But Nigeria has heard similar words before. What Nigerians crave now is not more rhetoric but a real break from the familiar pattern of electoral irregularities such as delayed results, compromised officials, tampered technology, and opaque logistics.
You pledged to “restore public confidence” and to “deliver free, fair and credible elections.” We therefore call on you to match these statements with measurable reforms, from transparent procurement to strict disciplinary action against compromised staff. Anything less will be business as usual, and Nigerians are tired of business as usual.
2. The Anambra Governorship Election, A Test of Truth and Readiness
You have rightly said that the forthcoming Anambra election is not just another poll but a test of INEC’s renewed integrity. As opposition, we agree and we will judge your tenure by how you conduct this election.
With the poll now only days away on November 8, 2025, Nigerians need to see visible readiness, not last minute assurances. Therefore, we expect the Commission to immediately:
Provide timely and transparent updates on the deployment of sensitive and non sensitive materials to all local governments.
Ensure effective coordination with security agencies and transport unions to prevent disruptions and excuses on election day.
Publish polling officials’ names and assigned units, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Guarantee the full functionality of BVAS and IReV systems, backed by technical response teams stationed in each senatorial district.
Grant unrestricted access to accredited observers and party agents from materials distribution through collation and result declaration.
Failure to ensure these minimum standards will cast a shadow over your early promises and deepen the erosion of public trust. This election is your first real test, and the world is watching.
3. Independence and Accountability
You spoke about INEC’s independence and your commitment to fairness. Yet the Nigerian public remains sceptical, and rightly so. For too long, INEC’s operations have appeared vulnerable to political influence.
To prove independence, we demand:
A public record of meetings between INEC leadership and political actors during election periods.
A transparent disciplinary mechanism for staff found guilty of bias or collusion.
Full disclosure of procurement and logistics contracts, as you once promised that “every kobo released will be used for its intended purpose.”
These steps are not optional, they are essential to rebuild faith in an institution that has lost too much public confidence.
4. The Youth Demand Inclusion, Not Rhetoric
Your repeated call for restoring voter confidence must include practical engagement with Nigeria’s youth, who make up over 60 percent of the electorate.
As NNPP Youth Leader, I challenge you to:
Establish youth liaison offices at national and state INEC offices, with direct feedback mechanisms.
Launch digital voter education campaigns using social media and community platforms, not just television or radio.
Publish simplified guides explaining how votes are processed, transmitted, and protected.
If these are ignored, your appeal to young voters will remain hollow, and apathy will persist.
5. Integrity Requires Measurable Action
Declaring that “integrity is non negotiable” must come with measurable standards. We urge you to:
Announce key performance indicators for the Anambra election, such as result transmission speed, logistic efficiency, and complaint resolution rate.
Publish an after action report detailing successes, failures, and improvements for future elections.
Create an independent electoral oversight committee, including youth, civil society, and opposition representatives, to monitor performance and issue recommendations.
Without concrete measurements, integrity will remain just another slogan.
6. Our Role as Opposition
As opposition, we do not applaud every promise, we question it. We will monitor INEC’s conduct with the seriousness it deserves. The NNPP stands for a Nigeria where every vote counts, and we will speak out boldly whenever the process fails to reflect the people’s will.
The youth of Nigeria are vigilant. We want to see actions, not announcements; results, not rhetoric.
Conclusion
Chairman, your words have inspired hope, but hope without evidence will not heal Nigeria’s democratic wounds. The Anambra governorship election on November 8 is your opportunity to prove that your leadership is a turning point, not a continuation of the past.
If you deliver a transparent, peaceful, and credible election, Nigerians including the opposition will commend you. But if INEC fails, your promises will join a long list of broken assurances that have weakened faith in our democracy.
The youth are watching. The opposition is watching. The nation is watching.
Yours faithfully,
Ambassador Auwal Muhammad Musa
National Youth Leader, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
