The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed lp Tinubu to review and reverse the appointment of at least four alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) serving as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that their continued presence in the electoral body could severely damage the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded letter dated June 7, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation demanded the withdrawal of Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), and Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers), all of whom were appointed in October 2023.
SERAP claimed the four appointees have known affiliations with the APC, a situation it says is incompatible with the constitutional demands of neutrality and non-partisanship for INEC officials.
“Appointing individuals perceived to be partisan as RECs sends the wrong signal to Nigerians and the international community.
“It erodes trust in INEC and may jeopardise the integrity of the 2027 elections,” the group stated.
SERAP stressed that both the perception and reality of impartiality are critical for INEC to carry out its mandate.
Citing Section 156(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule, the organisation argued that the law explicitly prohibits individuals who are members of political parties from serving as electoral commissioners.
It added that the Electoral Act 2022 reinforces the requirement for neutrality, competence, and integrity in such appointments.
“Your government has a constitutional obligation to guarantee both the appearance and the reality of impartiality in the appointment of INEC officials,” SERAP warned in the letter to President Tinubu.
Beyond demanding the withdrawal of the alleged APC-affiliated appointees, SERAP also called for broader electoral reforms.
It urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to prepare and submit a draft bill to the National Assembly aimed at strengthening INEC’s independence, both legally and operationally, ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Sending a draft bill to the National Assembly well ahead of the 2027 elections will demonstrate commitment to electoral reform and strengthen INEC’s capacity to conduct impartial elections,” the group said.
According to SERAP, enhancing the commission’s autonomy is essential in addressing the systemic failures witnessed during the 2023 general elections, including logistical delays, result transmission failures, and widespread allegations of irregularities.
The organisation also drew attention to Nigeria’s international obligations, referencing the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
Both instruments, it noted, call on member states to ensure the independence and neutrality of their electoral bodies.
“Treating INEC as a line department accountable to political higher-ups rather than an independent body contradicts constitutional principles, international obligations, and undermines public confidence,” SERAP added.
The group argued that credible elections are foundational to democratic governance and reflect the will of the people, a principle that can only be upheld if INEC operates free from political interference.
“The will of the people is expressed through democratic elections. This requires that elections must be free, fair, legitimate, and credible.
“However, the credibility of elections depends in part on the integrity and competence of the body conducting them,” the letter noted.
SERAP concluded by urging President Tinubu to swiftly remove the controversial appointees and replace them with individuals who are independent, apolitical, and of unquestionable character.
“Reconsidering the appointment of those who are allegedly members of the APC and replacing them with people of unquestionable integrity and competence would go a long way in ensuring the independence of INEC and the credibility of the 2027 elections,” the letter read.
SERAP’s intervention comes amid mounting public demand for electoral reforms, with growing concern that Nigeria’s fragile democratic gains could be undone if partisan interests continue to dominate key electoral institutions.
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