Situation Room Warns Senate Against Partisan Screening Of INEC Chair Nominee

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has cautioned the Senate against rushing the confirmation of the nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), warning that any partisan appointment could erode confidence in future elections.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, the group’s Convener, Yunusa Yau, urged lawmakers to conduct a transparent and citizen-inclusive screening process that prioritises integrity, courage, and non-partisanship over political loyalty or academic titles.

“We need somebody that has the courage to stand and say the truth against power. We need somebody who is transparent and not a member of a political party in the night and in the day a member of the national electoral commission.,” Yau said.

He stressed that the Senate must avoid repeating past mistakes where nominees were confirmed without proper scrutiny, saying the credibility of the electoral umpire would shape the legitimacy of the 2027 general elections.

“We want an open process of screening where Nigerians can participate, where people who know the nominee can speak up,” he said. “Appointing someone with partisan leanings will only compromise the process.”

Yau further demanded that the National Assembly open the screening to public petitions and inputs, and that the presidency publish the nominee’s credentials and professional background for Nigerians to assess.

“The president needs to be transparent. Let Nigerians know who this person is and what experience he brings. We have passed the stage of simply accepting names without scrutiny,” he stated.

On electoral reforms, Yau said amending the Electoral Act was as crucial as appointing credible leadership. He called for a clear legal mandate for INEC to electronically transmit election results, noting that ambiguity in the 2023 polls created unnecessary disputes.

“We need a very emphatic statement that mandates INEC compulsorily to transmit results electronically,” he said.

While admitting that incumbent presidents often resist reforms that curtail their influence, he maintained that civic pressure could push the National Assembly to act in the people’s interest.

“When Nigerians are galvanised, they can force the hands of their representatives to legislate what they want,” he said.

He cautioned, “We do not want a rubber-stamp Senate. We want a Senate that will do its due diligence. The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it.”