The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately review and reconsider the appointment of at least three alleged members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated June 7, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group asked President Tinubu to withdraw the appointments and nominate “qualified Nigerians who are non-partisan and of unquestionable integrity” to replace them.
SERAP warned that allowing politically affiliated persons to oversee electoral processes could undermine public trust and cast doubt over the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal follows the President’s 2023 nomination — and the subsequent Senate confirmation — of Mr Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Mr Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Mr Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), and Mr Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers) as Resident Electoral Commissioners. SERAP alleges that at least three of them are APC members or politically connected, in violation of the law and the Constitution.
“Appointing partisan individuals to such sensitive roles mocks Nigerians’ right to free and fair elections and damages the public’s confidence in the electoral process,” the group said.
Beyond the call for a change in personnel, SERAP also urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to prepare and submit a bill to the National Assembly to strengthen INEC’s independence. The group says this is necessary to ensure the electoral body operates free from political control.
“Sending a bill to the National Assembly well ahead of the 2027 elections would improve INEC’s independence, correct flaws from the 2023 elections, and uphold your constitutional obligations,” SERAP stated.
Citing sections of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, SERAP argued that appointing politically affiliated individuals as RECs violates Nigerian law. Specifically, Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution states that INEC commissioners must not be members of a political party. Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule further mandates that RECs must be non-partisan and of unquestionable integrity.
“The credibility of elections depends largely on the independence of the commission and the neutrality of those managing the process. An electoral body dominated by partisan figures cannot deliver free, fair, and credible elections,” the organisation stated.
SERAP’s letter also pointed to international obligations Nigeria is bound to under instruments like the United Nations Human Rights Committee guidelines and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. These instruments call for the establishment of truly independent and impartial electoral bodies.
The organisation stressed that even the appearance of bias can erode confidence in the electoral system. “If Nigerians begin to doubt the independence of INEC, faith in democracy will decline, and elections will no longer reflect the true will of the people,” it warned.
SERAP argued that INEC must not be treated as a government department taking orders from political figures, but as a constitutionally guaranteed independent body accountable only to the people. It stressed that the current appointments raise doubts about INEC’s neutrality, and called for urgent action to protect democratic integrity.
With the 2027 general elections two years away, SERAP emphasized the importance of acting now to protect the electoral process. It urged President Tinubu to show leadership by prioritizing the credibility of elections over political interests.
“Reconsidering the appointment of those alleged to be APC members, and replacing them with credible, neutral professionals, would be a bold step towards restoring public faith in Nigeria’s democracy,” the letter concluded.
INEC plays a central role in Nigeria’s democracy by organising elections at all levels of government. The integrity of its leadership is considered critical for ensuring fair and transparent elections. Past elections, including the 2023 general polls, have been marred by accusations of irregularities and voter suppression, leading to calls for electoral reforms and greater transparency in appointments.
