Yiaga Africa
By Olamilekan Tosin
Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization focused on electoral integrity, has called on President Bola Tinubu to publish the names of potential candidates for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and subject them to public scrutiny before screening by the National Assembly. This request aims to ensure transparency and credibility in the appointment process, allowing citizens and civil society organizations to provide feedback and objections on the candidates.
The current INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is set to step down in October 2025 after serving the maximum two terms, and about 10 national commissioners will also leave office before the 2027 elections. Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, emphasizes the need for a transparent process to inspire public confidence in INEC’s leadership and the electoral process.
Candidates for INEC leadership should possess key qualities such as independence, experience, and mental alertness. They should be independently minded and able to withstand political pressure, have experience in elections or related fields, and have the ability to manage complex electoral processes requiring mental alertness and technical competence.
Itodo suggests that the president should publish the list of potential nominees and invite citizens, civil society, and professional organizations to submit objections and memos on the candidates. This would be followed by a public screening process, ensuring that the appointment process is transparent and credible.
The appointment of a credible INEC chairman and national commissioners is crucial for the success of the 2027 general elections. Various stakeholders, including civil society leaders and electoral experts, are advocating for a transparent and merit-based appointment process to prevent potential crises and ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
Some experts have also proposed alternative approaches, such as establishing an independent panel to screen and nominate candidates, revising the Electoral Act to bring clarity and transparency to the appointment process, or unbundling INEC to boost credibility in elections.
