Lawyer Frank Tietie Accuses Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu of Committing “Unforgivable Sin” Against Nigeria

Prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Frank Tietie, has launched a scathing criticism against the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, accusing him of betraying the trust of Nigerians during his tenure.

Tietie, speaking in Abuja on Thursday, described Yakubu’s years in office as a period that undermined Nigeria’s democracy and public confidence in the electoral process.

“Mahmood Yakubu committed an unforgivable sin against Nigeria. He had the chance to restore faith in our democracy but chose a path that destroyed people’s trust in elections,” Tietie said.

The lawyer lamented that despite the massive resources and technology available to INEC under Yakubu’s leadership, the commission allegedly failed to conduct credible elections, leaving behind a legacy of distrust and controversy.

Tietie noted that many Nigerians had hoped the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other electoral reforms would mark a new dawn, but the outcome of the last general elections dashed those expectations.

“History will not forget what happened under his watch. When the people lose faith in the ballot, the very foundation of democracy is shaken,” he added.

The activist called for a comprehensive electoral reform and the appointment of individuals with proven integrity and courage to lead INEC going forward.

He also urged civil society groups and the National Assembly to take lessons from Yakubu’s tenure and work toward restoring credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system.

While Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is yet to respond to the comments, Tietie’s statement has stirred renewed debate among political observers about the performance of INEC and the future of electoral governance in Nigeria.