CSOs, Others Checklist Qualities For Subsequent INEC Chair

Because the December 9, 2025, expiration date for the tenure of the chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, attracts nearer, stakeholders within the electoral course of have steered the qualities his successor ought to have.

Yakubu, the longest-serving chairman of the electoral physique, was first appointed on November 9, 2015, for a five-year time period of workplace and was reappointed by the then-President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2020.

After Senate affirmation, he assumed obligation for a second five-year time period on December 9, 2020, changing into Nigeria’s first chairman of the nationwide election administration physique to serve for 2 consecutive phrases.

So, as Yakubu is predicted to take a bow after 10 years of election administration and President Bola Tinubu is to nominate the subsequent chairman of the fee, stakeholders, significantly Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are of the view that the subsequent INEC boss should be of confirmed integrity, non-partisan, and has sound tutorial {and professional} background must be appointed to occupy the crucial workplace.

He also needs to be technologically educated.

They contended that solely somebody with these qualities can assure electoral credibility and deepen democracy, particularly with the 2027 common election and different off-cycle polls, such because the Ekiti, Osun governorship, and Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Space Councils polls across the nook.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) mentioned the upcoming appointment is a watershed second for the nation’s electoral credibility.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP, on behalf of the organisation, CISLAC’s senior programme officer, Gimba Hassan, mentioned: “This shouldn’t be handled as simply one other political appointment. It’s a defining determination that can form the credibility of the 2027 common elections and decide public belief in our democracy.”

The CISLAC official outlined key standards and expectations for President Tinubu as he considers potential candidates, saying the particular person should have “unquestionable integrity and impartiality.

For this, he known as on the President to pick out a person of unimpeachable integrity, referencing Prof. Attahiru Jega’s appointment in 2010 as a gold commonplace.

“The following INEC Chairman should be seen as impartial, competent, and immune to political strain,” Hassan mentioned.

“The particular person should be able to addressing previous electoral failures. The 2023 elections witnessed widespread challenges, together with the INEC Outcome Viewing Portal (IReV) failure, logistical setbacks, and communication breakdowns.

“The following chairman should acknowledge these shortcomings and supply clear methods to stop their recurrence. Collaborative and clear management,” the CISLAC officer mentioned, noting that democracy thrives on inclusion.

Hassan mentioned the brand new chair should actively have interaction with civil society, political actors, the media, and the general public.

“We’d like a referee who listens, engages, and reassures all stakeholders,” he added.

Hassan challenged lawmakers to pose crucial questions concerning the nominee’s imaginative and prescient for tackling voter apathy, bettering electoral know-how, and guaranteeing equity throughout the political area.

He mentioned that with a rising youth inhabitants, solely a forward-thinking INEC head, who can modernise Nigeria’s electoral system via increasing digital transparency, enhancing biometric verification, and contemplating diaspora voting, must be appointed to the place.

“The way forward for credible elections lies in innovation, not stagnation. The credibility of the 2027 elections begins with the selection of the INEC chairman. Nigerians are watching—they usually anticipate a pacesetter, not a loyalist,” Hassan mentioned.

One other CSO, the Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation (GRACO), believes firmly that appointing a brand new INEC chairman ought to replicate the nation’s age-long aspirations for real and complete reform of its electoral course of.

The chief director of GRACO, Armsfree Ajanaku, urged Tinubu to behave as a statesman by nominating an INEC chairman with integrity, an understanding of know-how, sturdy character, and keenness to make Nigerians’ votes rely.

Tinubu should present he’s a statesman

Ajanaku warned that sectional, sectarian or partisan concerns shouldn’t decide the appointment.

“Though the crushing contradiction of a president who’s politically partisan appointing the INEC chairman stays one of many weak hyperlinks in our electoral course of, President Tinubu ought to act as a statesman by nominating an INEC chairman with the integrity, understanding of know-how, sturdy character and keenness to make the votes of Nigerians rely.

“These qualities are important to encourage confidence in Nigerians and handle the Nigerian individuals’s voter apathy and declining ranges of participation within the electoral course of.

“Due to this fact, the nominee ought to have the technical competence, capability and credibility to navigate the present challenges in our electoral course of. The nominee ought to have a very good grasp of know-how and easy methods to handle its dangers and weaknesses.

“With a number of off-cycle and the 2027 common elections looming, the nominee can’t afford to be taught endlessly on the job. As such, expertise, a technology-savvy observe report in election logistics and outcomes administration, integrity, transparency, and accountability must be the watchwords in nominating a alternative for the outgoing INEC Chairman,” he famous.

Impartial panel ought to nominate INEC chair

Additionally, in a doc entitled: “A Memorandum for Constitutional Alteration to Enhance Belief in INEC Management Choice,” made out there to LEADERSHIP, two  pro-democracy organisations known as for the alteration of Part 154(1), and sought the institution of an unbiased panel to pick out the INEC management.

The {groups}, African Centre for Management, Technique and Improvement (Centre LSD) and Ladies’s Rights Development and Safety Different (WRAPA), steered that the panel ought to encompass eight establishments to display screen and nominate individuals for the choice and approval of 1 particular person by the president and Nationwide Meeting.

Centre LSD and WRAPA additional really helpful {that a} nominee from the Nationwide Judicial Council (NJC) chair the screening committee, with the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) nominee, ideally the president, because the co-chairman.

In keeping with their suggestions, different members to finish the composition embody the President of the Tutorial Workers Union of Universities (ASUU), the president of the Nationwide Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), with the secretary of the Impartial Corrupt Practices Fee (ICPC)  serving because the committee’s secretary.

They mentioned: “As Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure attracts to a detailed later this 12 months after serving two phrases in workplace, making him ineligible for reappointment, the continuing discussions concerning his successor have sparked renewed requires complete electoral reforms.

“Central to those discussions is the necessity for reforms that strengthen the integrity of the electoral system via systemic modifications. This contains addressing how the management of the INEC is appointed, guaranteeing that the choice course of is clear, merit-based, and free from political affect.

“The present appointment course of for INEC management stays questionable. This proposal advocates for establishing an unbiased physique that shall be accountable for choosing a set of candidates for INEC management to the President, who shall in flip nominates one from the set to reinforce the credibility, transparency, and public belief within the electoral panorama,” the discussion board famous.

Enumerating the qualities the electoral umpire boss should possess, the discussion board famous that the “INEC management standards must be explicitly acknowledged within the Third Schedule of the Structure of Nigeria or related sections.

“Key {qualifications} ought to embody a powerful tutorial basis, along with related expertise in governance, regulation, or public service and a confirmed management potential, demonstrated via previous roles or positions.”

Particularly, the Centre LSD and WRAPA really helpful {that a} nominee for the place of INEC chairmanship should be a primary diploma holder; knowledgeable with 12 years of expertise, together with not less than 5 years in public service or election administration, supervision or commentary and be technically proficient.

They additional really helpful that the nominee possess management qualities akin to confirmed integrity, strategic pondering, decision-making, disaster communication skills, battle administration, collaboration, and teamwork.

President ought to prioritise Nigeria’s curiosity

To the director common of African Democratic Youth Congress (ADYC), Murtala Haliru Dantoro, DG ADYC, President Tinubu ought to put Nigeria first and appoint somebody with integrity who wouldn’t enable vote shopping for as the subsequent chairman.

“If the president goes to decide on the subsequent INEC chairman, he ought to put Nigeria first. He ought to take a look at the situations Nigerians are going via. Whichever he chooses, the recommendation from the youths is that he ought to select somebody with integrity, any individual who thinks of Nigeria first, not the northerners first, not the southerners first, not the Ibo, not the Muslims and Christians first, or the APC first, not the ADC first, however somebody who thinks Nigeria-first.

“So my recommendation to the President is that he ought to please search for somebody who has integrity, any individual who won’t enable vote shopping for,” he mentioned.

Advising president on INEC chair a waste of time

For Dr Chris Okeke, a lecturer within the political science division on the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,  it could be a waste of time to advise Tinubu on who he ought to appoint as INEC chairman.

“I contemplate it a waste of time to set an agenda for the president on that material. Expertise has proven that the political elite and ruling events in Africa who need to contest in elections are principally not curious about credible processes however in any means, significantly foul, that lands victory on their laps.

“It’s troublesome to inform an African president who shall be re-contesting for the workplace to nominate an neutral electoral fee’s chairman. Anticipating that he’ll take heed to you resides in a idiot’s paradise. I’m satisfied that the president won’t be curious about something that won’t assure him electoral victory within the subsequent presidential election.

“Even when he develops a form of physique language that means he desires the best factor carried out, these round him could possible prevail in opposition to him or the system to not.

“Virtually talking, it’s evident that those that feed from a morally bankrupt system won’t need to do one thing that can take away their spoils.

“In any other case, discovering Nigerians with sturdy ethical standing isn’t troublesome if they’re genuinely curious about cleansing up the electoral course of. These in energy know them. In addition they know what must be carried out for this republic to work; they clearly perceive Nigeria’s political tradition and options to the issues.

In keeping with him, a number of coverage papers from numerous conferences and workshops on making Nigeria’s elections credible have been produced and made accessible.

“What’s missing is the political will to implement this stuff, and I don’t see that being developed anyplace at the moment,” he argued.

10 Years Of INEC Underneath Yakubu (2015-2025)

Mahmood Yakubu, a Professor of Historical past and Worldwide Relations, broke the jinx as the primary Nigerian head of the electoral physique to be reappointed for a second time period.

Historical past reveals that no chairman of the nation’s electoral physique has served a couple of time period in workplace from Eyo Esua (1964–1966), Michael Ani (1976 – 1979), Victor Whisky (1979 – 1983),  Eme Awa (1987–1989), Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993), Okon Uya and Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998), Ephraim Akpata (1998 – 2000), Abel Guobadia (2000-2005), Maurice Iwu (2005-2010) to Attahiru Jega (2010-2015).

Nonetheless, Yakubu’s case grew to become completely different when President Buhari reappointed him in 2020.

Yakubu’s stewardship as INEC chairman, which shall be 10 years on December 9, 2025, was by no means a mattress of roses however a combination of “the great, the unhealthy, and the ugly,” as it’s mentioned.

Whereas efforts to get Yakubu to talk on his 10-year tenure, achievements, and regrets have but to bear fruit, a doc chronicling his achievements from November 2015 to December 2025, made out there to LEADERSHIP, confirmed that below him, INEC regularised the dates of common elections and FCT Space Council elections as the overall election now holds on the third Saturday in February of the election 12 months for the presidential and Nationwide Meeting elections, and two weeks later for the governorship and state meeting elections.

Improvements below Yakubu

Underneath Yakubu’s management, the Fee launched the Steady Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS) to interchange the cumbersome means of first finishing accreditation earlier than voting. CAVS simplified the voting process and addressed the potential disenfranchisement of voters.

For the primary time since 1996, the Fee efficiently expanded voter entry to polling models by creating 56,872 new polling models in June 2021.

The Yakubu Fee constructed a extra environment friendly, complete and a predictive EMSC dashboard that reviews over 1,000 election

monitoring indicators and integrates all of the Fee’s election monitoring instruments comprising the Election Administration System (EMS), the Election Operation Help Centre (EOSC), the Electoral Threat Administration Software (ERM) and the INEC Safety Alert and Notification System.

The Yakubu Fee additionally launched a number of technological instruments that remodeled election administration in Nigeria. Amongst them are a brand new technology INEC Voter Enrollment Gadget (IVED), a brand new Biometric Voter Accreditation Gadget (BVAS), on-line portals for managing candidate nomination, in addition to for accreditation of social gathering brokers, election observers and the media, and the INEC Outcome Viewing Portal (IReV)

For the primary time in Africa, INEC took the lead in adopting AI in election administration by making a division on AI and Election within the ICT Division.

The Yakubu Fee additionally inaugurated and institutionalised the Steady Voter Registration (CVR) on the LGA  and different designated centres in April 2017, registering 14,283,734 and 9,518,188 new voters for the 2019 and 2023 common elections, respectively.

The Yakubu Fee launched vastly improved DDCMs (direct knowledge capturing machines) with extra environment friendly data-capturing capabilities, particularly for fingerprint seize, a major problem to the earlier DDCMs.

For the primary time within the CVR train, the Yakubu Fee launched an On-line Portal that permits for pre-registration, switch, updates on particulars, and requests for the alternative of a broken, defaced, or pale everlasting voter’s card (PVC) by residents.

Deployment of Two-Manner Superior Biometric Identification System (ABIS)

One other innovation of the Yakubu Fee is the deployment of the two-way ABIS, which resulted within the affirmation of two,780,756 (22.6%) voters as double or a number of registrants and invalidation, lowering the variety of registered voters to 9,518,188 from the 12,298,944 that accomplished registrations on the finish of the CVR train on 31 July 2022.

Highest variety of elections carried out

As chairman of INEC, Yakubu carried out the best variety of elections within the historical past of election administration our bodies in Nigeria. He carried out each the 2019 and the 2023 common elections,19 off-cycle governorship elections, over 300 supplementary and by-elections, and three FCT Space Council Elections in April 2016, February 2019, and February 2022.

Underneath the management of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC up to date the Rules and Tips for Political Events and developed Enhanced instruments for Monitoring and Monitoring of Political Events.

The Yakubu Fee engaged and collaborated with the Nationwide Meeting and different stakeholders to enhance the Electoral Authorized Framework.

Inclusivity within the voting course of

Throughout the tenure of Yakubu, the Fee collaborated with CSOs to enhance entry and participation of individuals with disabilities (PwDs) within the electoral course of via the deployment of Assistive Voter Units

The Yakubu Fee additionally ensured the total participation of weak residents within the electoral course of via precedence voting.

The Yakubu Fee reviewed the Framework and Regulation for voting by Internally Displaced Individuals (IDPs), strengthening the authorized provision which enabled them to register and vote within the 2019 and 2023 common elections and the off-cycle governorship election.

Bumpy begin and reign

Yakubu was first within the eye of the storm shortly after his appointment, following the declaration of the November 2015 Kogi State Governorship election inconclusive. The Fee had earlier introduced the outcomes of the election from all of the 21 native authorities areas within the state.

Additionally, the occasions that characterised the adjudged flawed governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states and the last-minute postponement of the 2019 Presidential and Nationwide Meeting elections 2019 introduced him to public criticism.

Yakubu, a former director-general of the Tertiary Training Belief Fund (TETFUND), was equally caught in the midst of the storm after the closely criticised 2019 common elections and the Bayelsa and Kogi low season governorship polls, which have been considered by some as shams.

IReV raised ballot credibility

However Yakubu got here below reprieve and public applause following the result of the September 19 Edo and October 10 Ondo governorship elections with the introduction of the INEC Outcome Viewing (IReV) portal that enabled Nigerians to view polling unit leads to actual time because the voting ended, lowering the incidences of outcomes manipulation.

In keeping with INEC, IReV was first experimented with within the August 8, 2020 Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election and subsequently the Edo and Ondo polls to additional strengthen the transparency within the election consequence administration system, which has remained a serious supply of distrust in Nigeria’s electoral course of.

The innovation restored some stage of confidence in INEC as, on the finish of the Edo Governorship election, even the worst critics of the fee and the electoral course of, such because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) applauded using the digital portal by INEC to add outcomes immediately from the polling models because it mentioned the applying made it not possible for electoral violators to hijack the electoral course of.

2023 election controversy

Nonetheless, regardless of the numerous technological deployments such because the BVAS and the IReV portal, the controversies surrounding the 2023 elections, the technical glitches that affected solely the presidential ballot whereas sparing Nationwide Meeting elections carried out on the identical breadth, delayed uploads and different points with the off-cycle and by-elections rely in opposition to INEC below Yakubu.