The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to make public details of the process for appointing the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will complete his 10-year tenure in November 2025, after serving two five-year terms.
His successor is expected to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
In a letter dated September 27, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the president to disclose details of the selection and appointment process for Yakubu’s replacement.
The group demanded clarity on the number and names of candidates for INEC chairman and whether the Council of State has been consulted or would be consulted in making the appointment, as constitutionally required.
SERAP also called on Tinubu to “use the opportunity of the appointment of a new INEC chairman to reconsider your appointment of at least three alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the INEC and to nominate non-members of a political party as replacements.
“The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be ‘a closed shop.’
“A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests,” the group said.
SERAP cited Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that the INEC chairman “shall be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”
The same section mandates the president to consult the Council of State before making the appointment.
SERAP’s demand for disclosure is rooted in these provisions, which are designed to promote inclusivity and guard against partisan control of the electoral body.
It added that there is a strong correlation between transparency in the selection and appointment process of the INEC chairman and the ability of the commission to perform its constitutional and statutory duties in an independent and impartial manner.
According to the group, “openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process would improve public trust in the commission’s independence and impartiality and citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
“Secrecy in the selection and appointment process would be inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.
“It would undermine the independence, autonomy, and accountability of INEC and the right of Nigerians to a free and fair election.”
The group stressed that anyone appointed as INEC chairman must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial, and neutral. INEC chairman and other officials ought to be able to discharge their legal duties and implement the Electoral Act without fear or favour.
SERAP gave the government seven days to comply with its recommendations or face legal action in the public interest.
Yakubu, who first took office in 2015, oversaw two general elections in 2019 and 2023.
His leadership of the commission has drawn mixed reviews, with praise for logistical improvements and criticisms over technology deployment and result transmission.
His imminent exit makes the upcoming appointment one of the most consequential ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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