Fubara Accuses INEC of Failing to Enforce Defection Law

• Governor Fubara criticized INEC for selectively enforcing defection laws, urging reforms to strengthen democracy ahead of 2027 elections

• Chief Bode George highlighted Nigeria’s history of flawed elections, calling for urgent reforms to address systemic electoral manipulation

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, along with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Olabode George and other political leaders, has called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fubara, who has conflicted with state lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of selectively enforcing laws on political defections.

Speaking at the sixth edition of Freedom Online’s annual lecture, themed Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led?, Fubara—represented by former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tela Ikuru—criticized INEC’s handling of defectors.

“The judiciary, legislature, security agencies, and electoral bodies often operate under political influence, weakening democracy,” he stated.

“INEC has failed to uphold the law on political defections. According to the constitution, lawmakers who leave the party on which they were elected should lose their seats. However, INEC’s selective enforcement raises concerns about its neutrality,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, INEC has yet to respond to these allegations.

Meanwhile, Chief Bode George traced electoral manipulation back to the 1962 Western Region crisis, arguing that flawed elections have plagued Nigeria for decades.

Keynote speaker Otunba Gbenga Daniel attributed poor governance to a lack of knowledge among leaders, urging them to honor public trust.