The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed admiration for Ghana’s political system, particularly its stability and low rate of party defection among politicians.
Speaking after observing Ghana’s 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, Yakubu praised the country’s unique political culture where politicians rarely switch parties during general elections, a stark contrast to the frequent defections seen in Nigeria.
Prof. Yakubu commended the smooth conduct of the election, highlighting Ghana’s innovative electoral processes and its consistent political structures. The election saw former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) emerging victorious.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the main opponent from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat, stating, “The people of Ghana have spoken and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility.” The NDC also secured a majority in the parliamentary elections.
Yakubu noted the resilience of Ghanaian politicians, citing leaders like Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo, who achieved success after multiple attempts. “Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. So, that is important. It provides stability,” he said.
He also applauded Ghana’s decentralised approach to announcing election results, which was inspired by Nigeria. Parliamentary results are declared locally at the constituency level, while only presidential results are sent to the central headquarters in Accra, ensuring a faster and more efficient process.
