As the tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), nears its end, numerous pro-democracy activists have raised strong objections to President Bola Tinubu’s plan to unilaterally appoint his successor ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At an event in Abuja on Thursday, where the Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development (CENTRE LSD) presented a policy brief and memorandum, activists argued that the current appointment process compromises INEC’s independence and creates a conflict of interest for the President.
In a memorandum submitted to the Joint Committees on INEC and Electoral Reform of the Senate and House of Representatives, the activists proposed the creation of an independent selection panel.
This body would vet and nominate a list of qualified candidates for INEC leadership, from which the President would select one nominee for confirmation by the National Assembly, thereby enhancing transparency, credibility, and public trust in the electoral process.
Dr. Austin Aigbe, who presented the memorandum, emphasized that the President’s sole power to nominate the INEC chairman risks political interference and threatens the commission’s impartiality.
“The appointment process must be made more transparent and insulated from political pressures to safeguard INEC’s integrity and independence,” he said.
Dr. Aigbe pointed to constitutional contradictions, noting that Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution grants the President this appointment power, while Section 15, Part F of the Third Schedule mandates INEC to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
He called for an amendment to Section 154(1) to introduce an independent panel for candidate selection.
He also recommended revising Section 157 to formalize the role of this independent panel in screening candidates and submitting approved lists to the President for appointment, subject to National Assembly approval.
The activists argued that removing direct executive control over appointments would ensure the commission’s impartiality, a vital condition for credible elections and fair treatment of all political stakeholders.
Dr. Aigbe added, “Public confidence in an unbiased electoral body is essential to encourage voter participation, higher turnout, and stronger civic engagement. Establishing an independent appointment panel will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral governance.”
He proposed that the panel include representatives from key institutions such as the National Judicial Council (NJC), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), renowned election-focused networks, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Drawing from international examples, Dr. Aigbe urged Nigeria to adopt best practices seen in countries like the United States, India, Chile, South Africa, and Kenya, where independent or quasi-independent bodies oversee the appointment of electoral officials. He highlighted Kenya’s consultative process for appointing commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as a model of transparency and inclusivity.
In addition, the activists called for the introduction of electronic voting technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to increase voter participation and reduce election-related costs and inefficiencies.
At the event, Dr. Iroro Stephen Izu of Baze University emphasized the urgent need for electoral reforms, transparency, inclusivity, voter education, and reliable voting equipment to ensure credible elections in 2027.
Warning of the dangers of voter apathy, Izu described it as a “time bomb” threatening Nigeria’s democracy. He categorized voter apathy into three stages – burnout, meltdown, and blackout—and stressed that escalating disillusionment could jeopardize the democratic process.
“Credible elections are essential for democracy. Non-credible elections are tantamount to a coup d’état by ballot,” he said.
Izu stressed Nigeria’s pivotal role as Africa’s largest democracy, warning that failure to conduct credible elections could have a ripple effect across the continent.
“Nigeria must get its elections right or risk losing the democratic gains of the region.”
