Former Kano State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has resigned as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Gawuna, who was also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections, confirmed his resignation in a letter dated March 27, 2026, stating that it takes immediate effect. 

He explained that the decision aligns with a directive issued by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mandating political appointees with electoral ambitions to step down ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

In his resignation letter, Gawuna said the move was in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the President’s directive. 

He expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve in various capacities, including his role at the mortgage bank and previous public appointments, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development. 

Gawuna also assured that he would ensure a smooth transition process by handing over responsibilities in line with established procedures. 

His resignation comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with indications that he may be preparing to pursue another electoral position in Kano State.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set for its first major electoral exercise under the newly signed Electoral Act 2026, as it conducts the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states this Saturday.

The polls are widely seen as a critical test-run ahead of the 2027 general elections.

FCT Polls: 1.68 Million Voters Expected

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that the FCT elections will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils.

The commission will simultaneously conduct bye-elections in:

• Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies (Rivers State)

• Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies (Kano State)

The FCT elections are particularly significant because they are the only local government-level polls directly conducted by INEC.

Key Reforms Under the 2026 Electoral Act

The 2026 Electoral Act introduces notable reforms that INEC must implement in real time, including:

• Statutory entrenchment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)

• Legal backing for the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV)

• Strengthened transparency and result transmission procedures

These provisions are expected to enhance credibility, transparency, and real-time accountability in the electoral process.

Wike Declares Work-Free Day, Movement Restricted

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, announced a work-free day to enable residents to participate fully in the elections.

He also confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved a restriction of movement across the FCT from 8:00 p.m. on February 20 to 6:00 p.m. on February 21, 2026.

According to Wike, the measures are aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process.

“We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum,” he stated.

He described the president’s assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 as a demonstration of commitment to credible elections.

A Strategic Rehearsal for 2027

Political observers view the elections as a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 general elections, particularly in testing:

• Technology deployment (BVAS & IReV)

• Security coordination

• Result transparency mechanisms

• Voter turnout management

With rising public interest and increased scrutiny, INEC’s performance this weekend could shape confidence in Nigeria’s next general election cycle.

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Rumours are intensifying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering appointing Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, a recently retired judge from Nasarawa State as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). If this turns out to be true, the implications for the credibility of the 2027 general election could be significant.

Although Liman is not widely known to the public, he has been at the center of several high-profile and controversial judicial decisions. Among them is his ruling that halted Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s move to reinstate Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano, an act that inflamed political tensions and triggered legal battles over jurisdiction. Liman also halted the suspension and attempted arrest of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje over the widely publicized “dollar stuffing” scandal.

His judicial record has prompted both praise and criticism. In Edo State, Peters Omoragbon, a former governorship candidate, accused Liman of delaying a ruling in a case involving INEC. In 2016, his residence in Port Harcourt was among those raided by the Department of State Services (DSS), who claimed to have recovered $2 million in cash. Liman denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and saying he would have resigned if such claims were true.

Despite his legal background, what has triggered alarm is not just Liman’s record, but the political context surrounding his possible appointment.

During a recent interview on Arise TV, political figure Buba Galadima warned of “rumours all over the place” suggesting that a retired judge “known for notoriety” may be appointed as INEC Chairman. Though Galadima did not name Liman directly, the description fits. He went further, warning that such a move could “create chaos” and potentially endanger the conduct of future elections.

While Galadima’s language may be exaggerated, it reflects a broader concern: that Nigeria cannot afford an INEC chairman whose independence and impartiality are in question especially not in the run-up to a high-stakes election like that of 2027.

The regional implications are also worth noting. Supporters of the administration have recently circulated a list of past INEC chairmen to argue that the South-South has historically dominated the role, while the North-Central has never produced one. Justice Liman, from Nasarawa State in the North-Central, would address that imbalance. But critics argue that President Tinubu, whose appointments have consistently leaned toward the Southwest, is unlikely to make such a departure from his current pattern.

Moreover, there is concern that Liman’s perceived closeness to influential figures such as Ganduje and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike could further politicise INEC. Appointing someone with such affiliations would set a dangerous precedent—one that risks undermining the commission’s credibility before campaigns even begin.

One curious detail is Liman’s early retirement from the Court of Appeal, even after the judicial retirement age was raised to 70. This has fuelled speculation that he may have stepped down to make himself eligible for a high-level political appointment.

It is important to recall that no president; civilian or military, has ever appointed an INEC chairman from his own ethnic or regional base. That unwritten rule has helped preserve some measure of balance and public trust in the electoral process. Breaking with that tradition now would only deepen existing divisions and fuel suspicions of electoral manipulation.

If Tinubu is seriously considering Justice Liman, he must weigh short-term political advantage against long-term institutional damage. INEC’s legitimacy hinges not only on its constitutional authority but also on public confidence in its leadership. An electoral umpire perceived as partisan would do lasting harm to Nigeria’s democratic process.

As 2027 approaches, Nigeria needs an INEC chairman who is above reproach someone whose appointment will reassure, not inflame. The office demands neutrality, integrity, and an unimpeachable sense of fairness. Anything less will cast a shadow over the next general election and over the president’s own legacy.

By Farooq A. Kperogi
Source : The Nigeria Lawyer

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