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The Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Tinubu Bola President “to immediately reveal the details of the selection and appointment process for the successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose term of office as Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) will end in November 2025.” “
Absorbing him “to express the number and name of the candidate for the Chair of the Inec and whether the State Council has been consulted or will be consulted in making appointments, as needed constitutionally.”
The absorption also urged him to “use the opportunity to appoint a new Inec chairman to reconsider your appointment from at least three alleged members of the Progressive Congress (APC) as the Commissioner of the Resident Election (REC) from Inec and to nominate non-members of political parties as a substitute.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu will leave the office as Chair of Inec in November, after completing his term of office for 10 years. President Tinubu is expected to appoint a successor immediately, subject to the confirmation of the senate.
In the letter dated September 27, 2025 and signed by the Deputy Director of Collawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “The selection process and the promise of meeting for the replacement of Jacobu cannot and may not be ‘closed shops.’ The process that is transparent and responsible will serve the legal interests of the legitimate. “
Absorb said, “There is a strong correlation between transparency in the selection and appointment process of the Chairperson of Inec and the ability of the commission to carry out constitutional tasks and laws in an independent and impartial way.”
According to absorption, “Inec plays an important role in the Nigerian democratic process. Openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process will increase public confidence in the independence of the commission and the disbelief and participation of citizens in the election process.”
The letter was read in part: “Transparency in the process will also ensure that people who are competent and impartially appointed and reduce the risk of conflict of interest. This will allow Nigerians to examine, monitor, and be involved with the process.”
“In election management, perception is very important. It is more important for the selection and promise of meeting so that it is objective and fair and seen being objective and fair.”
“The way in which the election is managed, including how officials who manage the election are elected, will contribute significantly to the sustenance of democratic culture in the country.”
“The transparent selection and designation process will strengthen the democratic and selection process. Making public procedural details will increase public confidence in the process.”
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“The confidentiality in the selection and appointment process will be inconsistent and not in accordance with the Nigerian constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. This will damage the independence, autonomy and accountability of Nigeria for free and fair elections.”
“The independent election body in which it has administrative and financial autonomy, and offers adequate guarantees for the independence and impartiality of its members.”
“Openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process for the replacement of MR Jacobu and the appointment of competent, independent and impartial chairmans will also help overcome the perception of bias which characterizes Inec operations including during the 2023 general election.”
“Part 154 (1) Nigerian constitution 1999 [as amended] states that the Chairperson of Inec ‘will be appointed by the President and the appointment will be confirmed by the Senate.’ “
“Subdivision 3 states that in exercising his power to appoint someone as Chair of the Inec, ‘The President must consult with the State Council.'”
“Part 153 (1) (f) Nigerian Constitution states that ‘there will be for the following federation of the Agency, namely – (f) the Independent National Election Commission.'”
“Under section 6 (4) Election Law 2022, ‘The appointment of the Population Election Commissioner must comply with the Nigerian Constitution.'”
“Nomination, confirmation and appointment of alleged APC members as Recs for Inec is a violation of section 6 (4) from the Election Law 2022 and Section 156 (1) (a) and paragraph 14 of the third schedule of the Nigerian Constitution.”
“Article 13 (1) African Charter regarding Human and People’s Rights and Article 25 International Agreements on Civil and Political Rights in which Nigeria is a state that guarantees the rights of every citizen to participate freely in the government of his country, both directly and through representatives who are freely elected.”
“The combined effect of the Nigerian constitution, the Election Law and International Standards is a requirement that the election must be held by the election body that is truly independent and impartial.”
“Status, power, Inec independence, and impartiality used to act and be seen as permitted, is a fundamental thing for the integrity of the Nigerian election and the effectiveness of the democratic rights of citizens. Inec must be the main guarantor of the integrity and purity of the selection process.”
“Your government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure openness and transparency in the election and appointment of the Chair of the Inec. The credibility and legitimacy of the selection depends on the independence and unrequency of those who are appointed to manage the process.”
“Without an independent and impartial inec, Nigerian democratic rights will remain illusions.”
“Anyone who is appointed as Chair of Inec must be clear non-party, independent, impartial, and neutral. The Chairperson of Inec and other officials must be able to carry out their legal duties and implement the Election Law without fear or assistance.”
“The Nigerian election body must enjoy independence from direction or control, both from the government or other quarters. It must be responsible to voters, and act accordingly.”
“We will be grateful if the recommended steps are taken within 7 days of receipt and/or the publication of this letter. If we have not heard of news from you at that time, absorbing will consider the right legal actions to force your government to comply with our requests for the public interest.”
“Public perception of Inec independence is also important to build public trust in the selection process. Where Nigerians have doubts about Inec independence, they are more likely to have less confidence in the election process, thus damaging democracy.”
“The Nigerian constitution, the Act of Information Freedom, and Anti-Corruption and Human Rights in the country rests on the principle that citizens must have access to information about their government activities.”
“This constitutional provision, international standards and commitment, impose a fundamental obligation to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection and appointment process for the new Inec chairman.”
“According to our information, the term of office of the Chairperson of the Independent National Election Commission (Inec), Professor Mahmood Yakubu will end in November 2025, after completing his term of office for two years.
“Absorb also note that Mr. Etekamba Umoren; Isah Shaka Ehimeakin; Anugbum Onuoha; and Bunmi Omoseyindemi is part of ten people nominated by you and confirmed by the Senate on October 25, 2023 as a Recs of Inec.”
