Group seeks creation of independent body to appoint INEC chairman

A civil Society Organisation, Media Advocacy Promotion for Development Initiative (MAPDI), has called for the creation of an independent body for the appointment of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other members.

The group’s executive director, Mr. Mayowa Adeniran, made the call during a Southwest Regional Youth Town Hall meeting on Thursday in Osogbo.

Adeniran said that allowing an independent body for the appointment of INEC chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) would reduce political interference in electoral processes.

He said the process of appointing INEC leadership has become more vulnerable to political influences, which undermines the credibility of the entire electoral system.

He added that such an independent body, comprised of selected prominent institutions, would give the public greater electoral confidence, a stronger democratic legacy, and reduced post‑election headaches during election periods.

According to him, elections must be free from political control in order to be truly democratic with merit‑based processes.

“Sections 153 and 154 of the Nigerian Constitution must be revisited to remove all bottlenecks in the electoral system for the best of democracy in Nigeria.

“Pre‑election disputes should be concluded before the first ballot is cast, while post‑election petitions should be settled before the winner takes office”, he said.

Adeniran further said that such an independent body should be given power to investigate, prosecute and punish electoral offenders swiftly and decisively.

He also said that Youth Political Participation (YPP) consortium members across the six geopolitical zones would continue to mobilise young Nigerians to champion youth‑led electoral reforms across the 36 states.

Earlier, the chairman of the Youth Council of Nigeria (YCN), Mr. Akinbode Oluwasegun, said the selection of an independent electoral body for INEC requires rigorous processes to ensure transparency, trust and confidence.

Oluwasegun added that all hands must be on deck to ensure that stakeholders with integrity are chosen to be part of the independent body.

He noted that Nigeria is gradually getting its electoral reform right, but more needs to be done to safeguard the electoral system in the country.

Supreme news reports that the event was attended by civil‑society coalitions, political parties, youth advocates and other stakeholders