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OPINIONR: Football Lessons For Our INEC

Published

2 days ago

May 25, 2026

By Lasisi Olagunju

The English Premier League ended yesterday with Arsenal crowned champions. But that triumph almost slipped away because, two weeks earlier, a stolen goal arrived disguised as a legitimate one.

I watched the West Ham–Arsenal match of Sunday, May 10, 2026. It got me thinking about Nigeria’s past and coming elections. Deep into stoppage time, there was a crowded goalmouth scramble. The ball ended up in the Arsenal net, the referee okayed it and the stadium erupted.

But the celebration was cut short when the referee was called to the VAR monitor.

Replays showed that as the Arsenal goalkeeper leapt to claim the ball, his left arm had been held and impeded by an opposing attacker. The goal, a crucial equaliser, was ruled out for a foul.

READ MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: ‘I Am Jagaban, They Can’t Scare Me’

Note that the referee initially stood by the decision. Then came protests. He paused the game, consulted technology, reviewed the incident and reversed himself. He was not stubbornly chained to an earlier error. He chose, instead, to stand by the rules of the game.

We should learn a lesson in that episode and weigh in on the relationship between sport, technology, rules and democratic accountability. A last-minute goal was first allowed, then overturned because it had been obtained unfairly.

As I watched the referee, I thought of our INEC; the VAR reminded me of IREV and the courts, and our 2023 controversies. The match officials did not manipulate the rules or sabotage the technology. There was no self-help, no front or backend glitch, and no desperate effort to protect a heist simply because a verdict had already been announced.

That is the lesson for Nigeria, its politicians and their politics, and for INEC. Democracy, like football, survives on the integrity of process. When doubts arise, institutions must have the courage to review themselves honestly and correct wrongdoing openly. A bad decision does not become sacred merely because it was confidently declared. What destroys public trust is not human error; it is the refusal to admit and correct errors.

READ MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: Ibadan, Makinde And Tinubu

Elections are not different from football. In Nigeria, political heists are rarely committed in the open. They happen in the confusion of numbers, in the invasion, the pushing and pulling around collation centres, in the unseen grip on institutions, and in the calculated obstruction of the people’s will. As we move towards the next elections, INEC should learn from that match. What may appear to be victory amid the noise of celebration may, upon honest review, turn out to be a foul on democracy itself.

The Nigerian voter too must approach future elections with the vigilance of a VAR room. Every suspected inflated figure, every compromised official, every act of voter suppression, every attempt to intimidate observers or mutilate result sheets is a foul hand on the goalkeeper’s wrist. It must be contested until it is redressed.

If football can pause an entire stadium and viewing centres around the world to review an unfair advantage, then a republic must be prepared to pause and review the electoral process at any point whenever the people suspect that the game has been rigged.

This is necessary if what we say we have is a democracy. Democracies do not die only through bullets and coups; they also get murdered through clever, vile manipulations hidden inside crowded political moments.

READ MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: APC’s Politics Of Consensus

While I sat impressed by that referee obeying the laws of the game, the Federal High Court in Abuja last Wednesday nullified parts of INEC’s 2027 election timetable, ruling that portions of it violated the law. The court acted the VAR of this game. It held, among other things, that INEC cannot unilaterally fix the timetable for party primaries; cannot abridge the period within which parties submit candidates’ particulars; cannot shorten the lawful window for withdrawal or replacement of candidates; cannot publish the final list of candidates earlier than 60 days before the election; and cannot compel campaigns to end two days before voting.

In effect, the court set aside the timeframes imposed by INEC for party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final candidate lists and campaign periods.

The question is: if the Constitution and the Electoral Act are already clear on these timelines, why did INEC choose a route so far removed from the law? Whose interest was that timetable designed to serve? I read somewhere that INEC said it was reviewing that judgment. We wait to see what its reviewers have to say.

Will they say the figures in the Electoral Act are not there or, perhaps the version of the Electoral Act available to them differs from the one available to the rest of Nigeria? We wait.

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

12 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎

News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

News

Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of children, promoting quality education, and strengthening sports development across the state.

This assurance was given by the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, during the 2026 Children’s Day Celebration and Governor’s Cup Finale held on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Addressing pupils, students and teachers,
the governor described children as the pride of Edo State and the future of the nation.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa,
noted that the annual celebration provides an opportunity to honour their dreams, talents, and limitless potential.

Speaking on this year’s Children’s Day theme, “Choose Kindness, Reject Bullying,” the governor said the message was timely and significant, as it emphasizes the need to create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for children both in schools and communities.

He stated that bullying in all forms — physical, verbal, emotional, or online — has no place in society, adding that the Edo State Government remains fully committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

According to him, the administration will continue to strengthen policies and programmes that promote child protection, discipline, mutual respect, and positive learning environments across schools in the State.

The governor urged children to embrace kindness, compassion, teamwork, and respect for one another, stressing that true strength lies not in intimidation but in empathy, good character, and mutual understanding.