As reactions continue to trail the recent nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, civil society organisations, CSOs, have called on the Senate to be transparent in the screening of the nominee.
DAILY POST reports that the CSOs’ statement was made available to newsmen by Yiaga Africa on Saturday.
The civil organisations noted that the nomination of Amupitan, which was reportedly granted unanimous approval by the Council of State, does not replace the duty of the Nigerian Senate to conduct a diligent, rigorous and transparent screening process.
The statement is jointly signed by, Yiaga Africa, Women Rights Advancement Protection Alternative, WRAPA, International Press Centre, IPC, the Kukah Centre, Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab, Nigeria, and YERP Naija Campaign
The organisations opined that a diligent, rigorous and transparent screening process is the only means for the Senate to inspire public trust.
They also charged the Senate not only to ensure transparency but to ensure that the process is televised and inclusive of citizen and civil society input through memoranda, petitions and participation in the confirmation hearings.
Other demands made by the CSOs are that the Senate should undertake a rigorous examination of his competence, public records, vision for electoral reform, INEC’s institutional strengthening, as well as his capacity to resist political interference and uphold electoral integrity.
“The Senate should also interrogate the nominee’s plans to address systemic challenges, including voter registration, result transmission, and enforcement of INEC’s regulations and guidelines.
“Nigerians expect the Senate confirmation process to be open to citizens’ participation in line with the Framework for Citizens Engagement in the INEC Appointment Process previously submitted to the Senate by the undersigned civil society organisations.
“This includes full disclosure of the nominee’s credentials, public service history, and capacity to manage elections without political interference”, the statement stated.
The groups which said they acknowledged Amupitan’s academic and professional accomplishments, and as such have no objection in principle to his nomination, however, noted that the current state of Nigeria’s electoral process requires a fiercely independent INEC, immune to political manipulation, and unwavering in its commitment to credible elections.
They posited that if the next INEC chairman is confirmed by the Senate, he must demonstrate moral courage and resistance to political interference, and work better when it is insulated from political interference.
“We, the undersigned civil society organisations working on democracy and elections in Nigeria and across Africa, acknowledge the announcement by the Presidency on the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following the conclusion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure.
“This comes after consultation with the Council of State, which reportedly granted unanimous approval to his nomination. We must, however, note that the Council of State approval does not replace the duty of the Nigerian Senate to conduct due diligence through a rigorous and transparent screening process that inspires public trust.
“We reiterate our longstanding call for a transparent, inclusive and citizens-centred appointment process that is consistent with the recommendations of key electoral reform interventions like the Justice Uwais Report, Ken Nnamani committee report, and the Citizens Memorandum on Electoral Reforms.
“Yiaga Africa, alongside other Civil Society Organisations, is calling on the Senate to ensure that Prof. Amupitan demonstrates moral courage and resistance to political interference,” the statement added.
