The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to immediately disclose the procedural details regarding the selection and appointment of the successor to the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu.
Yakubu’s tenure will conclude in November 2025.
In an open letter dated September 27, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the civil society organisation insisted that the process must not be a “closed shop” to foster public trust and ensure the commission’s independence.
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SERAP stressed that openness in the appointment of the new INEC chairman is crucial for a thriving democracy.
“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 stated.
The organisation further urged Tinubu to publicly disclose “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 argued that transparency in the appointment process directly impacts the electoral body’s ability to operate impartially.
“There is a strong correlation between transparency in the selection and appointment process of INEC chairman and the ability of the commission to perform its constitutional and statutory duties independently and impartially,” the group stated.
It added that an open process would allow Nigerians to scrutinise, monitor, and engage with the selection, ensuring that competent and impartial individuals are appointed while minimising the risk of conflicts of interest.
“In electoral management, perception matters greatly. It is more important for the selection and appointment process to be objective and fair and to be seen to be objective and fair,” SERAP noted.
The organisation warned that any secrecy surrounding the process would be incompatible with both the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations, potentially undermining the independence, autonomy, and accountability of INEC and citizens’ right to a free and fair election.
Beyond the appointment of the new chairman, SERAP also urged Tinubu to use this opportunity 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.”
SERAP cited the confirmed appointments of Messers Umoren, Isah Shaka Ehimeakne, Anugbum Onuoha, and Bunmi Omoseyindemi as part of the ten persons nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate on October 25, 2023, as RECs.
The organisation asserted that the nomination and appointment of alleged APC members as RECs constitutes a breach of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee an independent and impartial electoral body.
SERAP referenced international human rights obligations, including Article 13(1) of the African Charter and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which require elections to be managed by a “truly independent and impartial electoral body.”
The organisation concluded that the public’s perception of INEC’s independence is paramount for building confidence in the electoral process.
“Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory,” SERAP added.
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SERAP threatened to pursue appropriate legal action to compel the government to comply with its requests if a satisfactory response is not received within the seven days.
The group emphasised that constitutional provisions, the Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s human rights obligations all impose a fundamental duty on the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection and appointment process for the new INEC chairman.
