Hayatu-Deen Faults INEC Decisions, Warns of Consequences

A foremost banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has raised concerns over recent actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that they could erode Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

In a statement issued on Friday, Hayatu-Deen cautioned that developments capable of restricting political participation risk undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“When a commission charged with protecting participation instead restricts it, we must ask: in whose interest does it act?” he said.

He specifically referenced INEC’s move to revalidate the national voters register, as well as its reported decision not to engage with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that such actions could have far-reaching implications.

“Any action that potentially disenfranchises voters or prevents a political party from fielding candidates strikes at the core of democratic rights,” he stated.

According to him, democracy goes beyond periodic elections, stressing that it requires inclusiveness, transparency, and public trust.

“Democracy is not merely a calendar of elections. It is a covenant that demands equal access, transparent rules, and the confidence of citizens that the process is fair,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen warned that once confidence in electoral processes is weakened, the legitimacy of outcomes may be called into question.

“Once that confidence is undermined, the legitimacy of every outcome that follows is at risk. Nigeria cannot afford such erosion,” he added.

He linked electoral integrity to broader national challenges, including security and economic pressures, arguing that strong institutions are critical to national stability.

“The two are inseparable. Weaken institutions, and you weaken the nation’s capacity to respond to its challenges,” he said.

While maintaining that his intervention was non-partisan, the economist warned that democratic decline often occurs gradually.

“The erosion of democratic norms is rarely dramatic. It begins with subtle exclusions and institutional compromises, but the consequences can be severe,” he noted.

He called on authorities to uphold the rule of law and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in safeguarding democratic values.

“The preservation of our democracy is a collective responsibility,” he said.