Table of Contents
- Importance of Integrity in INEC Leadership
- Presidential Responsibility in Appointments
- Challenges in Nigeria's Election System
- Critique of Post-Election Jurisprudence
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Fidelis Oditah, stated that the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be a person of integrity, independence, and competence, rather than a political loyalist.
Oditah made this statement during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a program on Arise Television, on Wednesday.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has a responsibility to appoint the appropriate individual to lead the country’s electoral body.
“The INEC chairman must be someone who is impartial, independent, competent, accountable, professional, and trustworthy. Anyone who observed the 2023 elections cannot have many positive remarks about INEC,” he remarked.
The former Delta State governorship aspirant cautioned that Nigeria cannot legislate integrity into existence, pointing out that the issue with elections in Nigeria lies not within the laws but in governance and character.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s legal framework is sufficient but is compromised by the human element.
He criticized what he referred to as “dodgy jurisprudence” from the courts regarding post-election cases, particularly in relation to the transmission of results via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualities should the next INEC Chairman possess?
The next INEC Chairman should be impartial, independent, competent, accountable, professional, and trustworthy.
What is the main issue with elections in Nigeria?
The main issue with elections in Nigeria is not the legal framework but rather governance and character.
What did Fidelis Oditah criticize about post-election jurisprudence?
Fidelis Oditah criticized the "dodgy jurisprudence" from the courts concerning post-election cases, particularly regarding the transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
