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| INEC CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR MAHMOOD YAKUBU |
A Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the 36 state governors across Nigeria to disclose details of chairmen and members of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in their states, including their qualifications and political affiliations, if any, and the mechanisms of their appointment.
The group also requested details of the results of local government elections conducted in their states since 1999, and the voters’ register for any such elections.
SERAP in a statement signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare urged the governors, “to clarify and explain how your states have complied with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international standards on the conduct of periodic local government elections in your states, including the details of any law regulating such elections in your states.”
It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had last week, alleged that, “the conduct of local government elections in virtually all states has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.”
However, in a Freedom of Information request dated June 1, 2024, the human rights group argued that “State governors have the constitutional responsibility to establish and allow independent electoral commissions to conduct local government elections fairly and impartially.
“The reported interference by state governors in the operations of SIECs and apparent manipulation of local government elections is incompatible with Nigerians’ right to effectively participate in their government.”
According to SERAP, “Governors’ reported interference in the operations of SIECs and manipulation of local government elections have seriously undermined the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in the process, as well as the integrity of the country’s democracy.”
The group, which insisted that local government elections in several states are susceptible to manipulation by governors, added that the appointment process of chairmen and members of SIECs and the operations of these commissions are shrouded in secrecy.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you, your states and SIECs to comply with our requests in the public interest,” the human rights group added.
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