The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to make public the details of the selection and appointment process for the successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ends in November 2025.
In a letter dated 27 September 2025, and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to disclose the number and names of candidates being considered, as well as whether the Council of State has been or will be consulted, as required by the constitution.
The organisation also urged Tinubu to use the opportunity of appointing a new INEC chairman to revisit his earlier appointments of at least three alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), insisting that only non-partisan candidates should hold such offices.
“Transparency in the process would ensure that competent and impartial people are appointed and reduce the risks of conflict of interest. It would allow Nigerians to scrutinize, monitor, and engage with the process,” SERAP stated.
The group stressed that the credibility of elections depends largely on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage them.
It noted that secrecy in the appointment process would contravene constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations, potentially undermining public trust in the commission.
According to SERAP, openness in the appointment of Yakubu’s successor is critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, especially after concerns raised over the 2023 general elections.
Professor Yakubu, who has served two five-year terms, will leave office in November 2025.
His successor is expected to be appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation.
SERAP gave the government seven days to comply with its demands or face legal action to compel transparency in the process.
