Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to reveal details of the selection and appointment process for the next INEC chairman. The group recently urged the FG to break down how Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s successor will emerge in clear detail.
In a new letter signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization revealed that the appointment process should not be treated like a secret when several Nigerians want it to be very transparent.
The group appealed to Tinubu to expose the names of candidates vying to be the next INEC chairman, stressing the need to clarify if the Council of State would be consulted as constitutionally mandated.
“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.
Tinubu should 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,” it read.
SERAP further noted that BAT should 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.”
The group concluded by saying that a fair appointment process to determine the next INEC chairman directly impacts the ability of the commission to perform its constitutional and statutory duties in an independent and impartial manner.
“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 manner in which elections are managed, including how officials managing elections are chosen, would contribute significantly to the sustenance of a democratic culture in the country.
A transparent selection and appointment process would strengthen democratic and electoral processes. Making the procedural details public would improve public confidence in the process.
Secrecy in the selection and appointment process would be inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. It would undermine the independence, autonomy and accountability of INEC and the right of Nigerians to a free and fair election.
Electoral body is independent where it has administrative and financial autonomy; and offers sufficient guarantees of its members’ independence and impartiality.
Openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement and the appointment of a competent, independent and impartial chairman would also help to address the perception of bias which characterized the operations of INEC including during the 2023 general elections.
Section 154(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that the Chairman of INEC ‘shall be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate,” it added.
