RULAAC seeks senate rigorous screening of INEC chair nominee, Amupitan
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has demanded a thorough screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.
The nomination of Amupitan, a professor of law and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was approved by the Council of State on Thursday. It is now set for a confirmation hearing by the Senate.
RULAAC, in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, urged the Senate to religiously screen the nominee and allow for inputs from the public.
According to the statement, the nomination of Amupitan and approval by the Council of State, aligns with its position and those of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room.
The statement reads in part: “This nomination comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, when public confidence in the electoral institution is at a low ebb and urgently needs rebuilding and consolidation. Following the Council of State’s approval, the next critical step is for the Senate to carry out its constitutional duty of screening and confirming the nominee.
“The Situation Room rightly emphasizes that the process and outcome of appointing the INEC Chairman must meet the highest standards of credibility, transparency, – and independence – principles articulated in its Credibility Threshold for Elections in Nigeria. The leadership of INEC is pivotal to the integrity of elections; hence, the individual who occupies this role must inspire the trust and confidence of all Nigerians.
“In line with this Credibility Threshold and international best practices, RULAAC highlights the following key considerations:
“1. Transparent and Consultative Process:
The appointment process should be open, merit-based, and guided by competence, integrity, and non-partisanship. Political or partisan interests must not be allowed to compromise the independence of the Commission.
“2. Public Confidence and Legislative Oversight:
The National Assembly’s confirmation process must be rigorous and transparent, allowing for public scrutiny and input from citizens and civil society. As recommended in the Credibility Threshold, the National Assembly should:
– Adopt a process of screening INEC nominees that guarantees neutrality and competence.
– Issue clear guidelines for submitting petitions against INEC nominees to enable public participation.
– Thoroughly investigate petitions or complaints regarding nominees before confirmation.
– Subject all nominees to rigorous public scrutiny to ensure the credibility of the process.
“Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when institutions responsible for managing elections command the trust and confidence of all stakeholders. The credibility of the electoral process begins with the credibility of those appointed to lead it.
“The Situation Room and RULAAC will continue to monitor developments around this nomination and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the confirmation process adheres strictly to the principles of democratic governance and accountability.
“In the interim, we call on the President to make public the nominee’s credentials, professional record, and track record in public service. This will enable citizens to understand the basis for the nomination and to make informed contributions during the Senate’s confirmation process.
“We also urge the Senate to conduct a thorough, merit-based, and transparent screening, inviting public submissions and expert opinions to guide its determination of the nominee’s suitability or otherwise for this critical national assignment.
“Nigeria’s future depends on the integrity of its elections – and that integrity begins with the credibility of the INEC leadership.”
