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The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has decried the current situation in the Independent National Electoral Commission where there is only one National Commissioner and an acting Chair in the Commission, which should be composed of 13 national commissioners.
In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, the Situation Room expressed fears that the vacancies in the electoral body raises avoidable constitutional crisis that could affect its effectiveness, competence and credibility.
When the former Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega, exited the Commission on June 30 upon expiration of a five-year tenure, six national electoral commissioners retired with him.
While restating the importance of the role of INEC in Nigeria’s democratic progress, the Situation Room emphasized that “it is important that the Commission fulfills its constitutional role and mandate properly and without needless distractions”.
INEC is currently led by Amina Zakari for whom Mr. Buhari indicated preference to lead the Commission in acting capacity after Mr. Jega had handed over to Ahmad Wali.
The Situation Room therefore called on President Buhari to act urgently and uphold his responsibility, and expeditiously send to the Senate a nominee for the substantive position of Chairman for INEC as well as nominees for all of the existing vacant positions of National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners, so as to enable the Commission carry out its constitutional functions.
The Situation Room asked the President to ensure that nominees to vacant positions in INEC are persons with proven integrity, and well placed to build on the gains of Nigeria’s recent elections.
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