The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately disclose details of the process to appoint a successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ends in November 2025.
In a letter dated 27 September 2025 and signed by deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP warned that “the selection and appointment process cannot and should not be a closed shop.”
The group urged Tinubu to reveal the number and names of candidates under consideration, and to confirm whether the Council of State as constitutionally required has been or will be consulted.
SERAP also pressed Tinubu to revisit his earlier appointments of alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), and replace them with individuals free from partisan affiliations.
“Openness and transparency in the process would improve public trust in INEC’s independence and impartiality,” SERAP stated, stressing that perception plays a crucial role in electoral credibility.
According to the group, secrecy in the selection process risks undermining INEC’s autonomy, public confidence, and the constitutional right of Nigerians to free and fair elections.
SERAP argued that anyone appointed as INEC chairman must be demonstrably independent, impartial, and non-partisan, adding that “without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory.”
Citing constitutional and international obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, SERAP maintained that transparency in appointments would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and help rebuild public trust following criticisms of INEC’s performance during the 2023 general elections.
The watchdog has given Tinubu seven days to comply or face legal action.
