The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a compelling call to President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the integrity and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. SERAP’s core demand centers on the urgent replacement of recently confirmed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) alleged to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with non-partisan individuals of unquestionable integrity. This call underscores the critical importance of public trust in the electoral process, which SERAP argues is directly linked to the perceived and actual independence of the electoral body. The organization emphasizes that a compromised INEC jeopardizes the democratic rights of Nigerians and undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process, thereby threatening the very foundation of democratic governance.
SERAP’s argument is built on a multi-pronged approach, drawing upon constitutional provisions, electoral laws, international standards, and the imperative of public perception. The organization points to specific sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act that explicitly mandate the non-partisan nature and unimpeachable integrity of RECs. The recent appointments, SERAP contends, violate these clear legal requirements, thereby casting a shadow over INEC’s impartiality. Furthermore, SERAP invokes international standards, including those set by the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, both of which emphasize the necessity of independent and impartial electoral bodies for credible democratic processes.
Central to SERAP’s appeal is the critical role of public perception in shaping the legitimacy of elections. The organization argues that when citizens perceive INEC to be biased or influenced by political parties, public trust in the electoral process erodes, leading to disengagement and potential instability. This underscores the need for not only genuine independence within INEC but also the appearance of such independence, ensuring that the electoral body is seen by the public as free from political maneuvering and manipulation. SERAP stresses that the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure both the reality and the perception of INEC’s impartiality, thereby fostering public confidence in the electoral process.
To bolster INEC’s independence and address the concerns raised, SERAP has proposed concrete steps for President Tinubu to take. Firstly, the organization urges the President to immediately nominate qualified Nigerians who are demonstrably not members of any political party to replace the allegedly partisan RECs. These nominations should then be submitted to the Senate for confirmation, ensuring a transparent and accountable process. Secondly, SERAP calls upon the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to draft and submit a bill to the National Assembly that would further strengthen INEC’s independence. This proactive measure, SERAP argues, would demonstrate a commitment to electoral reform and enhance the integrity of future elections.
SERAP’s emphasis on submitting the proposed bill well in advance of the 2027 elections highlights the importance of establishing a robust legal framework for INEC’s operations. By enacting such legislation before the electoral cycle heats up, the potential for politically motivated changes to the electoral rules is minimized, ensuring a more stable and predictable electoral environment. This preemptive approach, SERAP believes, would contribute significantly to the credibility and legitimacy of the 2027 elections and mitigate the recurrence of the challenges experienced in previous elections, particularly the 2023 polls.
In essence, SERAP’s call to action represents a plea for President Tinubu to uphold the principles of democratic governance by ensuring the independence and impartiality of INEC. The organization contends that the appointment of allegedly partisan RECs undermines public trust in the electoral process, jeopardizing the credibility of future elections. By replacing these appointees with non-partisan individuals of unquestionable integrity and by enacting legislation to strengthen INEC’s independence, President Tinubu can demonstrate a commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, thereby safeguarding the democratic rights of all Nigerians and reinforcing the foundation of democratic governance in the country. The organization believes that taking these steps would significantly contribute to the credibility and legitimacy of the 2027 elections and beyond.
