ABUJA, Nigeria — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the appointment of at least three individuals it alleges are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a detailed letter dated Saturday, June 7, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the civic watchdog urged the president to nominate “qualified Nigerians who are persons of unquestionable integrity and a non-member of a political party” as replacements.
SERAP stressed the urgency of such reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation also requested that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, be directed to draft legislation aimed at strengthening INEC’s institutional independence and impartiality.
“In view of the 2027 elections, holding polls with partisan RECs will make a mockery of Nigerians’ right to vote in free and fair elections,” SERAP stated.
“The credibility and legitimacy of elections depend mostly on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage the process.”
The letter specifically cited the October 2023 appointments and Senate confirmations of Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), and Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers), raising concerns about their perceived political affiliations.
SERAP referenced sections of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act which require appointees to INEC to be non-partisan and of proven integrity.
Citing Section 156(1) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, the organisation insisted the appointments were constitutionally flawed.
“Treating INEC as a line department accountable to high-ranking politicians rather than as an independent and impartial body is antithetical to constitutional and international standards,” the letter read.
It further warned that public confidence in the electoral process would erode unless INEC is seen to be truly neutral.
“Where Nigerians have doubts about the independence of INEC, they are more likely to have less confidence in the electoral process, thereby undermining democracy,” SERAP said.
The group also invoked international frameworks, including the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s guidance and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, both of which call for the establishment of independent electoral commissions to oversee transparent and credible elections.
SERAP urged President Tinubu to “make good on Nigeria’s commitments to democratic governance” by taking immediate steps to restore INEC’s institutional credibility.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken urgently to ensure respect for the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it concluded.
The presidency and INEC have yet to respond publicly to the letter.
