The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on President Bola Tinubu to make public the details of the process for appointing the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In a letter dated September 27 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said Nigerians have a right to know the number and names of candidates being considered for the position and whether the Council of State has been consulted, as required by the Constitution.
“The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be a closed shop,” SERAP stated.
“Openness and transparency in the process would improve public trust in the commission’s independence and impartiality.”
The group warned that any attempt to shroud the process in secrecy would undermine the credibility of INEC and erode public confidence in its ability to conduct free and fair elections.
“Anyone to be appointed as INEC chairman must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial and neutral,” SERAP emphasised.
The current INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has served in the role for 10 years, is expected to complete his tenure in November.
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