The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to drag President Bola Tinubu to court if he fails to make public the process for appointing a successor to the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Yakubu, who has served two terms as INEC boss, is due to leave office in November 2025 after completing his 10-year tenure. However, reports of his early exit on terminal leave have sparked fresh controversy over the integrity of the succession process.
In a letter dated September 27, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded that Tinubu disclose “the number and names of candidates being considered” and clarify whether the constitutionally mandated consultation with the Council of State had taken place.
“The selection and appointment process for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be a closed shop. A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests,” the group wrote.
SERAP insisted that the appointment must comply strictly with constitutional provisions while guaranteeing that INEC remains independent, impartial, and non-partisan.
The organisation also urged Tinubu to revisit his earlier appointment of at least three alleged members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). It called on him to replace them with non-partisan individuals to preserve the credibility of future elections.
“Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory. Public perception of the commission’s independence is essential to building confidence in the electoral process,” SERAP stressed.
The group warned that it would institute legal proceedings if the president failed to act within seven days.
Meanwhile, Yakubu’s abrupt terminal leave has fuelled speculations of political interference. Sources claimed that the decision followed a meeting between Tinubu and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who allegedly accused the INEC chairman of undermining the ruling party ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development forced INEC to cancel its quarterly consultative meeting with political parties and a planned session with civil society organisations.
Insider reports further revealed that Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) has been pencilled in as Tinubu’s preferred candidate to succeed Yakubu, with an official announcement expected soon pending Senate confirmation.
However, SERAP emphasised that the credibility of the process outweighed the identity of the nominee. “The government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure openness. Citizens have a right to know how critical appointments such as this are made,” the group added.
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