Olusegun Ariyo
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked 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 deserve to know the number and names of candidates for INEC chairman and whether the Council of State has been consulted, as constitutionally required.
“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 stressed that secrecy in the appointment would undermine INEC’s credibility.
“Anyone to be appointed as INEC chairman must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial and neutral,” it added.
Having spent 10 years as INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure will come to an end in November.
