Call for South-South Representation in Next INEC Chairman Appointment
As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming 2027 general elections, human rights lawyer and activist Monday Ubani has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the South-South region. This appeal comes as the tenure of the current INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is set to expire in October 2025. Yakubu was appointed by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and has since overseen two general elections.
Importance of Character and Rotation
Ubani emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate with strong character, independence, fairness, and high integrity to ensure the credibility of the 2027 elections. He also highlighted the need for geographical rotation in the appointment of the INEC chairman. Given that the current President is from the South-West and the outgoing INEC chairman is from the North-East, Ubani believes it is logical and fair for the next chairman to come from either the South-South or South-East regions.
Historically, the position of INEC chairman has been predominantly held by individuals from the North. Ubani argues that considering a candidate from the South-South region would demonstrate a commitment to fairness and rotational justice. He recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is from the South-West, appointed Abel Guobadia from the South-East as INEC chairman, further supporting the case for rotational representation.
Political Landscape and Allegations
The call for a new INEC chairman comes amid a backdrop of political realignments and allegations of electoral manipulation. Some opposition leaders have accused the current INEC chairman of manipulating the 2023 election in favor of President Tinubu. Notably, Rotimi Amaechi, the former Rivers governor and minister of transportation, has been vocal about these allegations.
INEC's Role and Transparency
INEC plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and transparency of Nigeria's electoral process. As the country gears up for the 2027 elections, the commission has announced that 110 associations and groups have submitted letters of intent to become political parties. This development underscores the importance of having a credible and impartial INEC chairman to oversee the electoral process.
The appointment of the next INEC chairman will be a significant step in shaping the future of Nigeria's democracy. As the nation looks ahead to the 2027 elections, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process that reflects the will of the people.
