Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the names of politically exposed persons from the list of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent to the Senate for confirmation.
SERAP, which made the demand in an open letter sent to the President, specifically asked him to immediately withdraw the names of alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and persons who have been previously indicted for corruption so as to sustain the independence of INEC.
The civil society organisation, in the letter issued on September 3, 2022 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, claimed that of the 19 names sent to the Senate by President Buhari four of the nominees allegedly either belong to a political party or have been previously indicted for corruption.
SERAP is, therefore, urging the President to replace the four nominees with people of unquestionable integrity and competence and those who are not members of any political party so as to promote public confidence in the appointment process.
The group gave the President seven days to meet its demands after which it would approach the court to compel the government to comply with the request in the public interest.
SERAP stated that the combined effect of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards required that elections must be organised by a truly independent and impartial electoral body.
It also pointed out that the government has a legal responsibility to promote and guarantee the integrity, credibility, and independence of INEC and to ensure that the electoral body is free from political and other interference.
The letter reads in part: “As its name suggests, INEC is expected to maintain independence or absolute neutrality. INEC must not only be independent and impartial, but must also be seen to be independent and impartial.
“Promoting the independence of INEC, including by appointing people of unquestionable integrity and competence, and who are not members of any political party as RECs would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and your oft-stated promise to ensure free and fair elections in 2023.
“INEC ought to be independent and impartial in the exercise of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
“This means that anyone nominated for appointment as RECs should be persons of integrity and high standing, and should be independent and impartial, so that INEC can enjoy the public trust and confidence necessary for it to effectively and satisfactorily carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities,” he said.
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