By Olokuta Rofiat
Nigeria’s political parties, under the umbrella of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have called for the removal of presidential influence in the appointment of the chairman and top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that such powers undermine the commission’s independence and public confidence.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee in Abuja on Monday, IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, proposed that the responsibility for appointing the INEC chairman, national commissioners, and secretary be transferred to an independent body.
He suggested that the new body should comprise representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, the National Judicial Council, and the National Assembly.
Dantalle stressed that allowing the president to appoint INEC officials compromises the credibility of elections and erodes public trust in the commission’s neutrality. He cited previous calls by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, who had also advocated reforms to make the electoral umpire truly independent.
Other stakeholders at the meeting supported the proposal. Former Interior Minister and leader of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, recommended that political parties with at least five lawmakers in the National Assembly be allowed to nominate candidates for the INEC chairmanship.
Similarly, the National Muslim Youth Association backed a proposed constitutional amendment to strip the president and governors of the power to appoint officials of INEC and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
The group warned that unless the appointment process is reformed, Nigeria risks repeating the credibility and transparency issues that marred the 2023 general elections.
With the tenure of the current INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expected to expire later this year, debates over who should appoint his successor have intensified, as stakeholders push for reforms to strengthen the integrity of future elections, especially ahead of the 2027 polls.
