By Rayyanu Bala

In an era where lies travel faster than truth and where misinformation has become the central currency of political debate, the recent hysteria over the potential appointment of Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is both tragic and deeply telling. It says far more about the laziness and political opportunism of certain public commentators than it does about the retired judge himself. And in this regard, the essay titled: “On Justice Liman, Mahmood Yakubu and the next INEC Chairman” which appeared on The Cable On-line Newspaper of September 28, 2015 written by a London based Development and Public Policy Professional, Mr. Seun Awogbenle serves not just as a necessary intervention, it is a vital corrective to the loud but hollow noise polluting our public discourse.

Let us be clear: Justice Liman, by every standard available, is eminently qualified to lead INEC. In a nation that consistently bemoans the lack of integrity in public service, how ironic it is that when a judge retires without a single blemish and with years of judicial service behind him, the response from some quarters is to frantically search for mud to sling, to matter how baseless. It is this very culture of habitual cynicism that has poisoned many of our institutions and discouraged principled leadership.

Prof. Farooq Kperoogi’s attempt to muddy Justice Liman’s reputation, while admitting to having no real knowledge about the man, is not just dishonest, it is outright dangerous. For someone of Kperoogi’s academic standing, the minimum expected is a commitment to fact. Yet what we find is an embarrassing cocktail of half-truths, dramatic flair, and outright inaccuracies. His mischaracterization of the Igbinedion-Eboigbodin judgement, claiming a phantom 20-year sentence, betrays either a fundamental misunderstanding of the law or a deliberate intention to mislead. Either way, it is indefensible.

The facts, which are easily verifiable, show that Justice Liman ruled based on the charges presented and their respective weight. Igbinedion was convicted on three counts with a fine option, while Eboigbodin faced a different set of charges with a different outcome. To spin this as judicial corruption is not just irresponsible; it is a reckless distortion of justice. What exactly does Kperoogi want, a judge who ignores the law in favor of public sentiment? That would be the real threat to our democracy.

Then there is the report by Sahara Reporters, which claims, without a shred of credible evidence, that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been asked to go on leave due to “betraying APC.” This isn’t journalism. This is fiction masquerading as fact, intended to stoke fear, inflame ethnic tension, and delegitimise a constitutional process. It is precisely the kind of reporting that fuels distrust in public institutions. The truth, as Awogbenle rightly points out, is that Prof. Yakubu’s tenure is naturally coming to an end. There is no scandal. No force-out. No manufactured coup. Just a routine, constitutionally sanctioned transition.

And herein lies the real issue: our political class and their media allies have developed an addiction to perpetual outrage. Every appointment, every reform, every national conversation must be recast into an ethnic war, a north-south dichotomy, or an imaginary authoritarian overreach. But no nation can be built on such a foundation of suspicion and manipulation. At some point, we must choose truth over tribalism, fact over fiction, and patriotism over paranoia.

Let us now speak plainly about Justice Liman. His judicial record is free and clean. He is from the North Central, a region that has never produced an INEC chairman, despite its critical role in the national balance. He is not a known political surrogate, nor has he been involved in partisan controversies. These are assets, not liabilities. And for those suddenly discovering the need for electoral independence, let them channel their energy toward pushing for the long-stalled Uwais reforms at the National Assembly, instead of scapegoating Justice Liman who have done nothing wrong.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whatever one thinks of his legacy, oversaw the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act, a landmark legislation that introduced technological innovations like BVAS and IReV. These reforms did not solve every problem, but they moved the electoral process in the right direction. And so, we should thank him for his service and move forward, without hysteria, without lies, and without weaponizing succession planning for political gain.

Justice Liman is not perfect, no one is, but he carries no baggage that disqualifies him from leading INEC. On the contrary, his experience, regional representation, and untainted judicial career make him one of the most qualified candidates. That he is being attacked by those who offer neither facts nor reason is perhaps the best endorsement of his suitability.

In conclusion, we must learn to elevate the national interest above petty politics. The process of choosing an INEC Chairman should invite scrutiny, but honest, fact-based scrutiny, not innuendo and fabrication. If the yardstick is competence, integrity, and a clean public record, then Justice Liman deserves a full-throated endorsement. Nigeria cannot afford another round of polarising falsehoods. The stakes are too high, and the people deserve better.

Let us rise above the noise. Let us defend the truth. And let us support Justice Liman, not because of politics, but because he qualified to be INEC chairman by all standards.