Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “urgently” make open details of “selection and appointment” for who succeeds Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ends in November, 2025.
The process for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement “cannot and should not be ‘a closed shop'”, the non-profit organisation said.
SERAP added, “openness and transparency” in the process will not only “improve public trust” in INEC, but, also boost “citizens’ participation in the electoral process”.
Taking to X, SERAP said: “We’ve urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently disclose details of the selection and appointment process for the successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as the chairman of @inecnigeria will end in November 2025.
“The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be ‘a closed shop.’ A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests.
“There is a strong correlation between transparency in the selection and appointment process of INEC chairman and the ability of the commission to perform its constitutional and statutory duties in an independent and impartial manner.
“@inecnigeria plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s democratic process. Openness and transparency in the selection and appointment process would improve public trust in the commission’s independence and impartiality, and citizens’ participation in the electoral process.”
