Appointment of individuals, who may be compromised or who occupy positions that could render them unfit as impartial arbiters, cannot bode well for Nigeria’s electoral process, says #FixPolitics.
The citizens-led, research-based movement to structurally change and innovate politics in Nigeria, Africa and the world is lending its voice to the demand of a transparent process in the appointment of Independent National Electoral Commission officials, ahead of the 2023 elections.
In a statement signed by the Co-Chair, Constitutional, Political and Electoral Reforms, Prof Remi Sonaiya, and Executive Director, Anthony Ubani, of the institute, the need for transparency and competence in electoral processes was reiterated.
The statement reads, “The desire of Nigerians is for an electoral process, which will be transparently free and fair. This means that every single individual involved at any stage of the process must be seen by all to be above board. This is in line with global standards as well, and the position taken by the country’s development partners.
“Given these concerns, #FixPolitics, therefore, calls on the Senate to conduct a most rigorous process of scrutinising the individuals, whose names have been submitted as appointees into INEC positions and to ensure that only those who pass the test of integrity, impartiality and transparency are given any appointment.”
According to the think tank, by so doing, the senators will show themselves as true representatives of the Nigerian people and defenders of their hopes and aspirations for credible elections.
“This is all the more important at the present moment when Nigeria is faced with very serious challenges, and the yearning of the people is for a leadership that will chart a clear and visionary path out of the current failure of governance.”
Reacting to the recent transfer of INEC’s ICT Director, Chidi Nwafor, to Enugu State, the institute urged the Senate to take the people’s concern seriously by embracing a rigorous process in issues relating to electoral activities and processes.
“Nigerians have expressed concern over the transfer of Nwafor, the erstwhile ICT Director at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, to Enugu as a mere Administrative Officer. This move is seen by many as a demotion and quite surprising, given that Mr Nwafor is said to have contributed significantly to the improvements, which have been made in our election processes through the increased deployment of technology.
“A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has equally alleged, citing specific names, that several of the nominees into the position of Resident Electoral Commissioners are either partisan, politically aligned or previously indicted for corruption,” the statement highlighted.
