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INEC Proposes Measures to Limit the President’s Role in Appointing Electoral Commissioners

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1 year ago

May 1, 2025

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is racing against time to ensure that all the impediments that have hindered credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria are resolved before the 2027 General Elections.

Part of the moves is proposing amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Framework that would strip the President of the power to appoint the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Prof. Mohammad Kuna, the Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this in a presentation at the ongoing retreat with the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters on the reform of the Electoral Legal Framework in Lagos.

The proposed change would instead give INEC the power to make these appointments, though with a different nomenclature to be known as State Directors of Elections.

The commission is also pushing for the introduction of electronically downloadable voters’ cards to replace the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Specifically, the commission is seeking amendments to Section 14 (3) Paragraph F of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution to confer the power of appointing and disciplining Heads of State and FCT Offices of INEC on the Commission.

INEC is also proposing an amendment to Section 6 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 to confer the power of appointing Heads of State and FCT Offices on the Commission.

Kuna said these heads of state would be known as State Directors of Elections (SDEs).

He said the proposal is essential to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the electoral process. Currently, the REC is the person in charge of the INEC office at the state level.

“The REC, who is assisted by relevant government agencies, undertakes the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial, and House of Assembly elections in a state and acts pursuant to powers delegated to him or her by INEC’s Chairman and 12 commissioners,” he said.

Among the duties of the REC is to make available all the materials required to conduct an election and also monitors the activities of all ad hoc staff and provides for the proper verification of election results.

Currently, the appointment of RECs, who oversee the electoral process in each state, is within the President ’s purview according to Section 154 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

Section 6 (1) of the Electoral Act reads: “There is established in each State of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory and Local Government Area, an office of the Commission which shall perform such functions as may be assigned to it by the Commission.

“(2) A person appointed to the office of a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall (a) be answerable to the Commission ; and (b) hold office for a term of five years from the date of his or her appointment which may be renewable for another term of five years and no more.

“(3) The Resident Electoral Commissioner appointed under the Constitution may only be removed by the President, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that the Resident Electoral Commissioner be so removed for inability to perform the functions of the office, whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause, or for misconduct.”

However, the INEC proposal will also confer on the commission the power to discipline erring RECs like the former Adamawa State REC who went rogue by announcing the result of the governorship election which did not fall under his purview.

Aside from this, the commission is also proposing amendments of Sections 77 (2), 117 (1), 132 (5), and 178 (5) of the 1999 Constitution to provide for early, Special, Out-of-Country, Diaspora, and Inmates Voting.

He said the proposal will allow the country to introduce Early/Special Voting to cater for eligible voters on essential services, election personnel, as well as, voters under incarceration, those in the diaspora, and out-of-country voting for eligible Nigerians outside the country during elections.

Another key proposal by INEC is the amendment of Sections 153 (1), 154 (3), 156 (1, a), 157 (2), 158 (1), and 160 (1) and the Third Schedule, Paragraph 15 (b – d) of the 1999 Constitution to create the Electoral Offences Commission and (b) Political Party Regulatory Agency.

The commission is also seeking the amendment of sections 48, 49, 71 and 91 of the 1999 Constitution by Providing New Provisions for Special Seats for Women and People With Disabilities (PwDs).

News

Ireland Opens Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship For Nigerians

Published

3 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Ireland Fellows Programme, a fully funded scholarship scheme that will enable successful candidates to pursue Master’s degrees in Ireland.

The announcement was made in a post on the embassy’s official X handle on Friday, confirming that applications will open on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The programme is designed for early and mid-career professionals from Nigeria and Ghana who wish to undertake a one-year postgraduate study at leading universities in Ireland.

The embassy stated: “Applications for the Ireland Fellows Programme open on 29 June 2026! Apply for the opportunity to study in Ireland on a fully funded master’s scholarship.”

According to the mission, detailed information on eligibility criteria and application procedures is available on the official programme portal.

To be eligible, applicants must be citizens and residents of Nigeria or Ghana, possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower, and have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.

For Nigerian applicants, the programme includes the Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights, which supports postgraduate studies in fields such as Law, Human Rights, and Governance.

The scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living stipends, accommodation, travel and visa costs, as well as health insurance for successful candidates.

Applications will remain open from June 29 to July 26, 2026, with submissions to be made online through the official Ireland Fellows Programme portal.

“Applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can find all info and applications here https://irelandfellows.africa @commercium_afr,” the statement added.

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Chief of Army Staff approves new commanders for major formations across federation

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a strategic reshuffling of senior officers across command, training, and staff positions in the Nigerian Army.

The appointments were announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026, by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the move was to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen national security.

New GOCs for 3 and 6 Divisions–

Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace. He replaces Major General EF Oyinlola.

Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, replacing Major General EE Emeka.

–Key command and staff changes–

News

Lokoja Court order on NDC: Seriake Dickson vows party will challenge order

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Leader of the National Democratic Party, NDC Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has vowed that NDC will challenge court directive.

Dickson in a statement he e-signed stated that the order lacked legal merit and their team of legal experts have been kept on standby to rubbish the move.

He said : “This morning, I, like several other leaders, officials, candidates of the NDC, and members of the public, was jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen.

“All I can say is that the order lacks legal merit and is intended to affect the foundational credibility and efforts of our party. The order is illegal and will not stand. It is against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space.

” It will be resisted by all of us and by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.

“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy. I call on all members, supporters, and candidates of the NDC to remain calm and continue with their normal political activities.

“This is only the first test of our commitment and resilience, both of which are not in doubt. Even this shall pass, and the NDC and all our candidates shall cruise to victory.

“We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack, but this particular development came from a very unlikely source.

“The application by an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law, is shocking.

“Moreover, it was not a necessary party to the suit because it had no interest in the subject matter. It did not apply for registration in 2025, it was not one of the 171 associations that applied, nor was it among the 21 associations shortlisted for registration.

“So, we know where this is coming from. It is coming from those who are shocked by the progress the NDC has made within such a short period as a result of our hard work and commitment to deepening multi-party democracy.

“We will not allow this to slow us down or break our spirit. The struggle must continue.

“We will use appropriate judicial channels to correct the judicial anomaly that occurred under the watch of Honourable Justice Dashen. He has clearly erred in law, and we will take steps to correct it.

“All our candidates, supporters, and teeming voters across the country and beyond should hold on firmly and keep the faith. This development shows that our efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“I would also like to refer to my favourite quote on struggles “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”

“We are under attack, as I have repeatedly said we should prepare for challenges such as this. But thereafter, we shall win.

“Even with today’s development, thousands of Nigerians are joining us in solidarity. In fact, thousands of Nigerians across the country registered as NDC members today to show their solidarity, sympathy and support for our party. All things work together for good.

” Men may act with evil intentions, but if it is not the will of God, He turns it around for our good.

“I sincerely thank Nigerians for the confidence they continue to repose in the NDC. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our vision only strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria.