Political parties propose independent body to appoint INEC chair

Registered political parties in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have proposed the establishment of an independent body to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its National Commissioners, and Secretary to ensure neutrality and strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

The proposal was made by IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, on Monday during a consultative meeting between leaders of political parties and the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review held at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja.

Dantalle, who was represented by his deputy, Dipo Olayoku said the current system where the President appoints the INEC Chairman and other key officials compromises the commission’s independence and fuels public distrust.

To promote the independence of INEC, the power to appoint the Chairman, Secretary and National Commissioners should be removed from the executive.

“Instead, an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) should be established, composed of representatives from all registered political parties, civil society organisations, the National Judicial Council, and a committee of the National Assembly drawn from both the majority and minority caucuses,” he said.

He said such an arrangement would ensure inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in the process of appointing the leadership of the nation’s electoral umpire.

Meanwhile, the IPAC Chairman while speaking on behalf of the parties, also called for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and transferring the conduct of local government elections across Nigeria’s 774 local councils to INEC.

Dantalle said state electoral bodies have failed to inspire public confidence due to their consistent subservience to state governors, who often use them to entrench one-party dominance at the grassroots level.

“Politics is local, and citizens should be encouraged to participate in grassroots democracy that guarantees free, fair and credible local government elections.

“Vesting the conduct of council polls in INEC will restore credibility to the process and deepen local government autonomy,” he said.

In addition to the two key reforms, IPAC also proposed the restoration of public funding for political parties, arguing that it would create a level playing field and enhance multi-party participation in elections.

“Public funding for parties will strengthen democracy and promote inclusiveness, provided there are mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in financial management,” Dantalle explained.