A Secret Plot Unfolds
Despite loud assurances of a free and fair 2027 general election, an underground scheme to manipulate the process is already in motion. Investigations by Sahara Reporters have uncovered a covert plan allegedly spearheaded by former Delta State Governor, James Ibori—an ex-convict who served time in the United Kingdom for embezzling public funds.
Reliable sources reveal that Ibori is maneuvering to install his close associate and kinsman, Moses Ogbe, as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). If successful, this appointment could tilt the 2027 elections in favor of vested political interests, setting the stage for widespread electoral fraud.
A Web of Political Influence
Ibori’s political grip remains formidable, with allies strategically placed in key government positions. His influence was evident in the appointment of his ally, Chinedu Ebie, as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Governing Board, as well as his daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, who chairs the House Committee on NDDC.
Now, the former governor is allegedly leveraging his political connections to push for Ogbe’s appointment, knowing full well the impact such a move could have on Nigeria’s democracy.
Moses Ogbe: A Troubling History of Electoral Manipulation
Sahara Reporters’ investigations into Ogbe’s background paint a disturbing picture. A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) under the controversial tenure of Prof. Maurice Iwu, Ogbe played a role in what was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most fraudulent elections—the 2007 general election. The election was so tainted that then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua publicly admitted its flaws and initiated electoral reforms.
Ogbe’s political entanglements run deep. During his tenure as REC in Lagos State in 2003, allegations of massive electoral malpractices surfaced under the administration of then-Governor Bola Tinubu. Observers recall that Tinubu, known for strategically placing loyalists in key positions, has a history of rewarding those who serve his interests.
President Tinubu’s track record of appointing long-time allies to crucial positions has raised further concerns.
Kayode Egbetokun, the current Inspector General of Police, was once Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer during his tenure as Lagos Governor. Appointed as IGP in 2023, Egbetokun’s tenure was controversially extended until 2027 through a National Assembly amendment to the Police Act—effectively keeping him in charge during the upcoming elections.
Olu Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was another key Tinubu appointment in 2023. A former lawyer at the firm of ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Olukoyede’s appointment has raised concerns over his independence.
These strategic appointments, coupled with the potential emergence of Ogbe as INEC Chairman, have sparked fears of a grand electoral manipulation strategy for 2027.
Ogbe’s Role in the 2014 Delta State Electoral Scandal
Ogbe’s reputation for election rigging was further cemented in the October 25, 2014, Delta State Local Government elections. Reports indicate that he bypassed returning officers in all 25 local government areas and announced pre-written results from the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) headquarters in Asaba.
His actions directly violated election guidelines, which required results to be declared at local collation centers. Despite protests from opposition parties who argued that actual voting never took place, Ogbe and his team ensured that every chairmanship seat went to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Political analysts warn that Ogbe’s appointment as INEC Chairman could usher in an era of unchecked electoral fraud, surpassing even the controversies of the 2007 and 2023 elections.
A senior political source lamented, “If Moses Ogbe becomes INEC Chairman, forget about credible elections in 2027. His track record is one of impunity, manipulation, and a blatant disregard for democratic principles.”
Moreover, sources claim that Ogbe is not the only compromised individual being positioned to influence the electoral process. Several others, once staunch PDP loyalists, have allegedly crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC), continuing their legacy of election rigging under a new political umbrella.
When contacted by Sahara Reporters, Ogbe denied any involvement in the plot, stating, “I am hearing this for the first time. I don’t know anything like that. I am done with my job at INEC since 2017. I am presently in my village doing what will give me money. I don’t know anything about this move.”
With less than three years to the 2027 general elections, these revelations have set off alarm bells among civil society organizations, political watchdogs, and opposition parties. Calls for transparency in the appointment of the next INEC Chairman are growing louder, as Nigerians brace for what could be the most fiercely contested election in the country’s history.
Will democracy prevail, or is Nigeria on the brink of yet another electoral heist? The coming months will be crucial.
PIONEER NEWS 