Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reevaluate the appointment of recently confirmed Residents Electoral Commissioners (RECs) amidst allegations of partisanship.
In October, President Tinubu nominated 10 individuals as RECs, some of whom have been accused of being members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite petitions and protests from numerous Nigerians, including civil society organizations, the Senate proceeded to screen and confirm the nominees in November.
Jega, who oversaw the 2011 and 2015 general elections, expressed concerns that the alleged partisan appointments could cast doubt on the integrity of future elections.
He stated, “I think there is no doubt that if the President were listening, my advice would be to immediately review the appointment of the Resident Electoral Commissioners that was passed by the Senate recently.”
“It’s very, very important because clearly, not only does it send a wrong signal about the government’s intention to improve the integrity of elections, it also suggests, you know, that there is indifference with regards to protecting the independence and impartiality of the election management body.”
“I would want to believe that Mr President was either misinformed or is not really furnished with all the necessary details with regards to these appointments.”
He further added, “So, that is the first recommendation: I will review those appointments. It’s not too late if it is established that the people who were appointed were very partisan or registered members of political parties, contrary to the legal provisions. The right thing should be done, and corrections should be made.”
Jega also called on the Senate to take a more critical role in the appointment of top INEC officials.
“Secondly, moving into the future, the Senate itself needs to be up and doing. The normal thing when these kinds of recommendations are made is to send it to the committee, which would have the time to do a thorough review of the details of all the people that are appointed before it comes to plenary, you know.”
“But in this particular case, from everything we have heard or read, it appears that the matter did not go to committee. It just went to the floor of the Senate, and they rushed the approval,” Mr Jega added.
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