Prominent Nigerian lawyer and social critic, Deji Adeyanju, recently aimed a satirical remark at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, in response to the U.S. election results where Vice President Kamala Harris was defeated.
Adeyanju’s statement underscores his ongoing criticism of Nigeria’s electoral management, drawing a pointed comparison to INEC's handling of the Nigerian elections, which he often deems flawed. By connecting the defeat of Kamala Harris to his critiques of Nigeria’s electoral system, he highlighted what he perceives as the discrepancies in INEC’s credibility and accountability.
In his characteristically humorous style, Adeyanju suggested that Yakubu could “step in” to manipulate the U.S. election results as, he claims, INEC has done in Nigeria. He commented on X, “INEC can still save Kamala. What INEC cannot do does not exist. They can switch off the server or change results on IREV,” and continued by alluding to Yakubu’s standard response to election disputes: “GO TO COURT.”
The statement came shortly after former President Donald Trump of the Republican Party was officially declared the winner of the U.S. election, defeating Harris in a notable victory. Trump’s victory, however, carries historical significance as he became the first president to win a non-consecutive second term, achieving this after surviving two assassination attempts and overcoming a criminal conviction.
Adeyanju’s remark has since sparked a mix of reactions online, with some users interpreting it as a witty critique of INEC’s methods, while others viewed it as a commentary on the broader theme of electoral integrity in democracies worldwide.