As the tenure of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu draws to a close next month, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure full transparency in selecting his successor, warning that opacity in the process could erode public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
In a letter dated September 27, 2025, and obtained by Channels Television, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, urged the president to immediately disclose key details of the appointment process.
Professor Yakubu, who has served two five-year terms totaling 10 years, is set to exit office in November 2025, paving the way for Tinubu to nominate a replacement subject to Senate confirmation.
SERAP emphasized that the selection must not become “a closed shop,” highlighting the critical link between transparency and INEC’s ability to operate independently.
“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,” the group stated in the letter.
The organization demanded specifics, including the number and names of candidates under consideration, confirmation of consultations with the Council of State as mandated by the constitution, and a review of recent appointments of at least three alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) members as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
SERAP called for these positions to be filled by non-partisan individuals to mitigate conflicts of interest.”INEC 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,” SERAP added.
The group further argued that such measures would ensure competent, impartial appointees and allow Nigerians to scrutinize the process effectively.
Transparency advocates like Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, have echoed these concerns, recently stating that Nigeria needs a “non-partisan INEC chairman with impeccable character” to restore faith in the electoral body.
As of Sunday, no official response has been issued from the presidency or INEC regarding SERAP’s demands.
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