In an
interview with Arise News on Monday, Chimamanda Adichie, an award-winning
author, expressed her disappointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that they missed
their last chance to become heroes. She explained that many Africans were
inspired by the Obidient movement leading up to the election, but their hopes
were dashed by Yakubu Mahmood, the chairman of INEC.
Adichie
believes that both Buhari and Mahmood missed their opportunities for heroism.
She argued that Mahmood, in particular, had a chance to become a hero not only
in Nigeria but in Africa, but he wasted it spectacularly. According to her, the
INEC chairman lost credibility in the eyes of Nigerians by not uploading the
results immediately. She noted that the Electoral Act gives INEC the legal
backing to have electronic transmission of results and that the results should
be uploaded at the end of voting from the polling units in a format that INEC
decides, as Mahmood had previously stated. However, this was not done, and
Nigerians were left in doubt about the credibility of the election.
Adichie also
criticized Buhari for his posturing during the election campaign, stating that
his display and statements of commitment to credible polls were just to
hoodwink the electorate. She believes that Nigerians no longer think he meant
well and meant to support credible elections.
Adichie
expressed hope that parties in court would get justice, but she also expressed
doubt, given the kind of judgments that have come out of the court in recent
times. Despite this, she remains optimistic that the right thing will be done,
and justice will be served. As a McArthur Fellow in 2008, Adichie’s opinion on
this matter carries weight, and her criticism of Buhari and Mahmood is
significant.
