The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has called for the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be removed from the office of the president.
The party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yabagi Sani, also urged a review of constitutional provisions granting the president authority to appoint the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Sani said the current arrangement undermines a level playing field for Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is not good for the president to appoint INEC chairman and everybody that matters in the commission. The national assembly is aware that these are the key aspects that must be changed first if we want a level-playing field for democracy to be strong in this country,” he said.
Sani further noted that in countries such as the United States and Mexico, top security officials are often elected rather than appointed, emphasizing the need for similar reforms in Nigeria.
On President Tinubu’s two-year administration, Sani acknowledged some achievements, saying, “From that perspective, I will say that Tinubu has done very well, because we are still one country, experiencing relative peace, not minding the skirmishes and challenges from bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.”
“But things are not totally alright, in that there are certain things he ought to have done or should have been doing that he is not doing yet.”
