Civil rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure full transparency in choosing the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated September 27, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked Tinubu to reveal the number and names of those under consideration for the role.
The group also questioned if the Council of State had been or would be consulted, as the Constitution requires.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has been in charge of INEC since 2015, is expected to leave office when his tenure ends in November 2025. His successor will be nominated by President Tinubu but must be confirmed by the Senate.
“The selection and appointment process for Mr. Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be a closed shop,” SERAP said. The organisation maintained that Nigerians deserve a process that is open, credible, and fair.
According to the group, only a non-partisan and independent person should take over the commission. It noted that the success of the 2027 elections will depend heavily on the credibility of INEC.
The civil rights group also reminded Tinubu about his earlier appointment of some Resident Electoral Commissioners alleged to have ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It however advised that such nominees be replaced with neutral figures.
SERAP further warned that secrecy in the appointment would weaken public confidence and contradict both the Electoral Act 2022 and constitutional provisions.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter concluded.
The demand comes at a time when the independence of the electoral body is under scrutiny following the controversies surrounding the 2023 polls.
