…says appointment of APC members as INEC RECs breaches Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 156(1)(a) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution.
A group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu to reconsider his appointment of alleged members of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), iNews Times reports.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in a letter dated June 7, urged the President to nominate qualified Nigerians with unquestionable integrity who are not members of any political party to replace the alleged APC members.
SERAP’s letter followed the nomination and confirmation of four individuals as RECs in October 2023, with some allegedly being members of the APC.
The organization expressed concerns that holding the 2027 general elections with partisan RECs would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and make a mockery of Nigerians’ right to participate in free and fair elections.
SERAP argued that the appointment of alleged APC members as RECs breaches Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 156(1)(a) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to the Constitution, RECs should be non-partisan and of unquestionable integrity.
The organization emphasized that the credibility and legitimacy of elections depend mostly on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage the process.
SERAP also cited international standards, noting that the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the African Union’s African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance emphasize the need for independent electoral authorities.
The organization stressed that Nigeria’s electoral body must enjoy independence from direction or control, whether from the government or any other quarter, and be accountable to the electorate.
SERAP urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to draft and send a bill to the National Assembly to enhance the independence of INEC.
The organization believes that this would improve the integrity and legitimacy of the electoral process and address the problems witnessed during the 2023 general elections.
SERAP emphasized that INEC’s independence and impartiality are fundamental to the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and the effectiveness of citizens’ democratic rights.
The organization stressed that anyone appointed as RECs for INEC must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial, and neutral.
By taking these steps, SERAP believes that President Tinubu can ensure respect for the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, iNews Times reports.
