The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the appointment of at least three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that their presence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could undermine the integrity of the 2027 elections.
In a letter dated 7 June 2025, SERAP appealed to Tinubu “to use his good offices and leadership position to reconsider his appointment of at least three alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The group advised the president to nominate “qualified Nigerians who are persons of unquestionable integrity and a non-member of a political party as replacement for the alleged APC members and to submit the names of any such Nigerians for confirmation by the Senate ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
This request follows the October 2023 confirmation of four RECs: Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), and Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers). Critics have raised concerns over their alleged ties to the ruling party.
SERAP also asked Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to “draft and send a bill to the National Assembly to enhance the independence of INEC, in conformity with your oath of office and constitutional requirements ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
According to SERAP, allowing elections to be conducted under the supervision of politically aligned INEC officials could shatter voter confidence and damage the credibility of the democratic process.
“Holding the 2027 general elections amid the appointment of partisan RECs will make a mockery of Nigerians’ right to participate in free and fair elections and undermine public confidence in the electoral process,” the organisation said.
The letter, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, added, “Sending a draft bill to the National Assembly well ahead of the 2027 general elections to improve the independence and impartiality of INEC would enhance the integrity and legitimacy of the elections, and address the serious and debilitating problems witnessed during the 2023 general elections.”
SERAP stressed the importance of public perception in the credibility of INEC, warning that doubts about its neutrality could erode trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
“Public perception of the independence of INEC is essential for building public confidence in the electoral process.
“Where Nigerians have doubts about the independence of INEC, they are more likely to have less confidence in the electoral process, thereby undermining democracy,” the group stated.
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SERAP reminded the president that his government has a constitutional duty to ensure both the appearance and the reality of independence in INEC appointments.
“The combined effect of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act and international standards is the requirement that elections must be organized by a truly independent and impartial electoral body,” the letter noted.
It added, “The credibility and legitimacy of elections depend mostly on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage the process. Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory.”
The group also highlighted constitutional provisions that demand neutrality in electoral appointments, citing Section 156(1) of the Constitution and Paragraph 14 of its Third Schedule, which state that INEC members must not belong to political parties and must be persons of unquestionable integrity.
According to SERAP, “The nomination, confirmation and appointment of the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC is a breach of Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 156(1)(a) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Referencing international standards, the organisation pointed out that both the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the African Union’s Charter on Democracy stress the need for independent and impartial electoral bodies.
“The will of the people is expressed through democratic elections. This requires that elections must be free, fair, legitimate and credible.
“However, the credibility and legitimacy of elections depend in part on the integrity and competence of the body conducting the process, and the transparency of the appointment process for RECs,” SERAP said.
The group concluded by urging Tinubu to take immediate steps to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
“Reconsidering the appointment of those who are allegedly members of the APC, and replacing them with people of unquestionable integrity and competence, and who are not members of any political party would improve the independence of INEC.”