SERAP Urges Tinubu to Disclose INEC Chair Appointment Process!

Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa

The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to make public the process by which he will appoint the next INEC Chairman, in order to enhance transparency, public trust, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Context & SERAP’s Demands

• In a public letter dated June 7, 2025, SERAP expressed concern over the appointment of several Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) alleged to be members of the ruling APC, warning that such appointments could undermine INEC’s independence. [1]
• The organisation urged Tinubu to nominate individuals of unquestionable integrity and who are non‑partisan, and to submit their names to the Senate for confirmation well ahead of the 2027 general elections. [2]
• SERAP also asked that the President direct the Attorney General, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to prepare a bill for the National Assembly aimed at strengthening the statutory independence of INEC. Why Transparency Matters
• SERAP argues that public perception of INEC’s impartiality is crucial for building confidence in elections. If the public believes appointments are partisan or opaque, it risks undermining democratic legitimacy. [2]
• Activists have also voiced concerns about a “unilateral appointment” of the next INEC Chairman by the President, calling for a more independent, consultative approach to safeguard credibility. [3]

– A civil society coalition, Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP‑Naija), has similarly demanded that the power to appoint INEC Chair and Commissioners be shifted from the President to a non‑partisan selection panel, to reduce political interference. [4]

Citations:

1. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/review-appointment-of-alleged-apc-members-as-inec-recs-serap-urges-tinubu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Nairametrics: nairametrics.com/2025/06/08/2027-polls-reconsider-your-appointment-of-alleged-apc-members-as-inec-recs-serap-tells-tinubu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/2027-activists-reject-presidents-unilateral-appointment-of-inec-chair/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/06/2027-coalition-wants-tinubu-stripped-of-powers-to-appoint-inec-chair-commissioners/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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