The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently disclose details of the selection and appointment process for the successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Professor Yakubu’s tenure would end in November 2025 after completing his two-term tenure of 10 years.
The group stated this in a letter by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, a copy obtained by Channels Television on Sunday.
According to the letter dated September 27, the group asked Tinubu to, “Use the opportunity of the appointment of a new INEC chairman to reconsider your appointment of at least three alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the INEC and to nominate non-members of a political party as replacement.”
SERAP also demanded that President Tinubu disclose the number and names of candidates for INEC chairman and whether the Council of State has been consulted or would be consulted in making the appointment, as constitutionally required.
The group urged President Tinubu to reconsider appointing alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of INEC and instead nominate non-members of a political party as replacements.
SERAP emphasised that transparency in the selection and appointment process is crucial for INEC’s independence and impartiality.
The group argued that openness and transparency would improve public trust in the commission’s independence and impartiality and citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
They said transparency would ensure that competent and impartial people are appointed, reducing the risks of conflict of interest.
They also said a transparent selection and appointment process would strengthen democratic and electoral processes, contributing to the sustenance of a democratic culture in Nigeria.
SERAP cited Section 154(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that the Chairman of INEC shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
“The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be ‘a closed shop.’ A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests,” the letter partly read.
“There is a strong correlation between transparency in the selection and appointment process of INEC chairman and the ability of the commission to perform its constitutional and statutory duties in an independent and impartial manner.
“INEC plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s democratic process. Openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process would improve public trust in the commission’s independence and impartiality and citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
“Transparency in the process would also ensure that competent and impartial people are appointed and reduce the risks of conflict of interest. It would allow Nigerians to scrutinise, monitor, and engage with the process.
“In electoral management, perception matters greatly. It is more important for the selection and appointment process to be objective and fair and to be seen to be objective and fair.”
The group also noted that the President shall consult the Council of State in exercising his powers to appoint a person as Chairman of INEC.
