The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his appointment of some alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
SERAP also urged President Tinubu to promptly nominate qualified Nigerians who possess unquestionable integrity and are not affiliated with any political party to replace the alleged APC members.
The civil society organisation, which made the demands in an open letter dated June 7, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, also asked the president to submit their names for Senate confirmation before the 2027 general elections.
SERAP further urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to draft and present a bill to the National Assembly to enhancing the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with the president‘s oath of office and constitutional requirements before the upcoming elections.
The organisation made the calls following the confirmation of four individuals, Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), and Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers) by the Senate in October 2023.
In the letter, SERAP stated that holding the 2027 general elections with partisan RECs will undermine Nigerians’ right to participate in free and fair elections and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
It further maintained that submitting a draft bill to enhance INEC‘s independence and impartiality before the 2027 elections would strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.
SERAP insisted that public perception of INEC‘s independence is crucial for fostering trust in the electoral process and that if Nigerians doubt INEC‘s independence, they are likely to lose faith in the electoral process, undermining democracy.
The civil society organisation further stated that the government has a constitutional duty to ensure both the appearance, independence, and impartiality in appointing INEC‘s top officials.
According to SERAP, the combination of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), the Electoral Act, and international standards mandates that elections must be conducted by a genuinely independent and impartial electoral body.
SERAP stated, “The credibility and legitimacy of elections primarily rely on the independence and impartiality of those overseeing the process. Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians will remain elusive.
We hope that the issues raised will guide the president to reconsider the appointment of alleged APC members as RECs, nominate qualified individuals for those positions, and instruct Mr. Fagbemi to draft a bill to enhance INEC‘s independence and impartiality.
“The recommended actions should be implemented swiftly to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The status, powers, independence of INEC, and how it acts must be prioritised for the integrity of Nigeria‘s elections and the effectiveness of citizens‘ democratic rights.
“Anyone appointed as a REC for INEC should be non-partisan, independent, impartial, and neutral. INEC officials must be able to fulfil their legal obligations and implement the Electoral Act without bias.
“Nigeria‘s electoral body must maintain independence from any direction or control, whether from the government or other entities, and be accountable solely to the electorate.
“Treating INEC as a subordinate agency beholden to high-ranking politicians and bureaucratic authorities undermines constitutional and international standards and the rule of law.
“The term ‚non-partisan‘ indicates that those appointed to oversee credible elections must not be individuals who publicly identify with a political party, make politics their profession, or are perceived by Nigerians as having political biases.
Section 153(1)(f) of the Nigerian Constitution states that “There shall be established for the 0 Federation the following bodies: (f) the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Section 156(1) of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates, “In the Independent National Electoral Commission case, the person appointed as a REC shall not be a political party member.
Moreover, Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution asserts that “A member of INEC shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity,“ SERAP stated.
(Leadership)
