…Ex-President Seeks Independent Nomination Panel
… Calls For Judiciary, Civil Society Input In Process
… Warns Credibility Of 2027 Polls At Stake
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a drastic reform in the appointment process of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections would depend on it.
Jonathan, represented by the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms Ann Iyonu, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of the National Action Plan for Electoral Reforms organised by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought.
The former president noted that the current practice—where the president nominates the INEC chairman subject to Senate confirmation—casts doubt on the commission’s neutrality and undermines public trust.
“So many questions have continued to be raised on the propriety of the process of appointing the INEC chairman,” Jonathan said.
“I believe Nigeria can improve by establishing an independent screening and nomination mechanism. Such reform will reduce perceptions of bias, promote public trust in INEC and enhance the legitimacy of its decisions.”
Jonathan proposed that an independent panel, comprising representatives of the judiciary, civil society, academia, and professional groups, should screen and recommend nominees for the INEC top job.
He drew from his 2010 appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega, who conducted the 2011 and 2015 elections, stressing that credible leadership at the commission remains central to Nigeria’s democracy.
The intervention comes as current INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, prepares to exit office in October after completing two terms, heightening speculations about his successor.
Political analysts say the next chairman will play a defining role in shaping the integrity of the 2027 polls, with President Bola Tinubu widely expected to seek re-election.
Beyond INEC reforms, Jonathan revived his push for an independent office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
He argued that Nigeria’s democracy is being weakened by indiscipline, opportunism, and rampant defections within political parties.
According to him, the registrar should have powers to enforce internal party democracy and even declare vacant the seats of elected officials who abandon the platforms that brought them to office.
“The electoral mandate belongs to the people, not individual ambition,” he said.
The ex-president further demanded that electoral petitions be concluded before winners are sworn into office, warning that the present situation, where officials are removed after assuming power, fuels instability and weakens citizens’ confidence in governance.
“We must adopt a framework that compels timely resolution of electoral disputes,” Jonathan said. “Justice delayed in elections is justice denied, not just for the candidates but for the electorate.”
Since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan has worked as an election observer across Africa. He urged Nigeria to confront its democratic shortcomings with honesty and embrace reforms that align with international best practices.
“Let us build a Nigeria where elections are credible, leaders are accountable, and democracy truly delivers for the people,” he concluded.
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