Abuja, Nigeria – The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has praised the conduct of Ghana’s recently concluded general election, describing it as a model of political stability and electoral innovation. In a video seen by Kluemedia, Yakubu noted that Ghana had adopted strategies from Nigeria in managing constituency election results, which contributed to the swift and efficient declaration of the presidential election outcome.
Ghana’s presidential election, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, saw former president and National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, John Mahama, emerge victorious. Mahama defeated his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). Bawumia conceded defeat in a statement on Sunday, acknowledging, “The people of Ghana have spoken and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility.”
Yakubu lauded the resilience and political maturity displayed by Ghanaian politicians and voters, highlighting the country’s steady party allegiance and political stability. “Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. That provides stability not only for the parties but also for their supporters,” he remarked.
The INEC chairman also pointed out that Ghana had implemented a key lesson from Nigeria by decentralizing the announcement of parliamentary election results. “Until the last election in Ghana, all results were collated at the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra. Now, they use returning officers to announce parliamentary election results in the constituencies, similar to what we do in Nigeria. This has significantly sped up the process,” he explained.
The election marked a turning point for Ghana, ending the two-term rule of the NPP under President Nana Akufo-Addo. His administration faced widespread criticism for its handling of Ghana’s economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation and a debt default.
Yakubu commended the efforts of Ghana’s Electoral Commission in delivering a credible election and reiterated Nigeria’s continued support for its West African neighbor. “We are grateful that the election has gone very well. The process and its outcome so far have been commendable,” he stated.
The Election Commission of Ghana is expected to officially announce the results by Tuesday, December 10, 2024, according to AFP.
While Yakubu’s commendation of Ghana’s electoral process underlines the progress in the region, his comments come against the backdrop of criticism at home. The INEC chairman has faced backlash in Nigeria over the controversial 2019 and 2023 general elections, which many believe fell short of transparency and credibility.
As Ghana celebrates a peaceful transfer of power, the spotlight turns to how other African nations, including Nigeria, can learn from its electoral advancements and political stability.