As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, growing public outrage over the appointment of certain Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 is stirring fears about the credibility of the country’s democratic process. At the heart of the issue is the perceived partisanship of some appointees and the implications this holds for free, fair, and credible elections.

RECs are pivotal figures in Nigeria’s electoral architecture. They oversee elections in the 36 states, supervise voter registration, monitor political party activities, and ensure the smooth running of elections within their jurisdictions. Given their critical role, the law mandates that only persons of impeccable character and unquestionable neutrality should be appointed to such sensitive positions.

Allegations of Partisanship in Appointments

However, this neutrality appears compromised. When President Tinubu unveiled a list of new RECs in October 2023, several names sparked immediate backlash. Civil society groups and opposition parties alleged that some of the appointees were affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising red flags about potential bias.

Among the most contentious names were:

• Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom) – Accused of being a staunch APC loyalist.

• Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo) – Allegedly partisan.

• Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos) – Suspected of political alignment with the APC.

• Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers) – A cousin of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, a key political figure.

While these individuals have denied any wrongdoing, the optics alone raise troubling questions about impartiality and adherence to constitutional guidelines. Notably, Section 156(1) and Part 1, Item F, Paragraph 14(2) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, prohibit members of political parties from being appointed as RECs.

A Pattern of Politicised Appointments

This is not the first time Nigeria’s political leadership has tested the boundaries of these provisions. In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari controversially nominated Lauretta Onochie, his personal assistant on social media, as an INEC National Commissioner. After sustained national outrage and pushback from civil society and opposition parties, the Senate was forced to reject her nomination.

Similarly, the case of Olusegun Agbaje, the REC for Lagos during the 2023 elections, drew criticism. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other stakeholders accused Agbaje of partisanship. Despite these concerns, he was neither redeployed nor investigated.

In a particularly glaring case, Anugbum Onuoha, despite prior controversy over his role in the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, has now been reassigned as REC for Rivers State—a politically sensitive region. His appointment has once again prompted fears of undue influence over future elections.

Legal Loopholes and Executive Overreach

One of the root causes of these recurring controversies lies in the law itself. Under Section 154(1) of the Constitution and Section 6(3) of the Electoral Act, the President wields exclusive power to appoint RECs, subject only to Senate confirmation. This overly centralised system leaves room for executive manipulation and cronyism.

This flaw calls for urgent reforms. For example, in the United States, although the President nominates commissioners to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), these appointments require bipartisan Senate approval, and the FEC operates independently to enforce campaign finance laws and ensure fair elections. Such a structure limits executive overreach and promotes checks and balances.

Civil Society and Legal Advocacy

In Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken up the mantle of advocacy, urging President Tinubu to withdraw appointments deemed politically compromised. SERAP maintains that allowing partisan individuals to serve as RECs risks compromising the integrity of elections and eroding public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

SERAP’s concerns echo a broader sentiment among Nigerians who view electoral manipulation as one of the country’s most persistent democratic obstacles. If citizens cannot trust the umpire, voter turnout and civic engagement are likely to decline further—exacerbating democratic decay.

Do-or-Die Politics and Institutional Complicity

At the core of the problem is Nigeria’s toxic political culture, where elections are often treated as life-or-death contests. With enormous power and access to state resources at stake, politicians often seek to influence electoral outcomes by compromising the very institutions meant to uphold democratic integrity.

This desperation fosters a vicious cycle of partisanship, judicial complicity, and impunity. INEC itself, although technically independent, has frequently come under fire for decisions that appear politically motivated or heavily influenced by the ruling party.

Lessons from Other African Nations

Nigeria is not alone in facing these challenges. In Tanzania, for instance, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been accused of using the electoral commission to suppress opposition. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was disqualified from participating in the 2024 elections under the pretext of failing to sign an electoral code of conduct.

Such developments highlight a regional trend where electoral commissions become tools of incumbents, undermining the very democratic processes they were established to safeguard.

The Path Forward: Reform and Oversight

To restore public trust, Nigeria must pursue comprehensive reforms that strengthen electoral independence and accountability. Key recommendations include:

• Independent Appointment Process: Appointments of RECs should no longer be left to the discretion of the President alone. An independent electoral appointment body—comprised of representatives from civil society, the judiciary, and political parties—should be empowered to screen and nominate RECs.

• Mandatory Background Checks: Robust vetting procedures must be instituted. This includes scrutiny of political affiliations, financial records, and prior conduct. Any nominee found to have partisan links should be disqualified automatically.

• Senate Oversight in Plenary: The confirmation of RECs should be deliberated and voted upon in plenary sessions of the National Assembly, not quietly ratified in committees. This ensures transparency and invites public scrutiny.

• Legal Sanctions for Partisanship: The Electoral Act should be amended to include clear penalties for false declarations of neutrality by nominees, including imprisonment and permanent disqualification from public office.

Role of the Opposition and the Public

Opposition parties, watchdog groups, and civic actors must play an active role in monitoring appointments. Where necessary, they should petition the courts, organise peaceful protests, and mobilise public opinion to demand fairness. The media also has a crucial role in shedding light on suspicious nominations and holding government accountable.

Above all, Nigerians must remain vigilant. Democracy cannot thrive on autopilot. It requires constant civic participation and oversight. Citizens must raise their voices against the politicisation of vital institutions like INEC and reject nominees who threaten the sanctity of the ballot box.

Conclusion: Safeguarding 2027 Starts Now

The next general elections may seem distant, but the integrity of 2027 begins with the decisions made today. Resident Electoral Commissioners are not mere bureaucrats; they are gatekeepers of democracy. Nigeria cannot afford to entrust them to individuals whose loyalties lie with political parties instead of the constitution.

For democracy to flourish, elections must be free, fair, and transparent—and that starts with non-partisan leadership at INEC. It is time for urgent legal reforms, institutional integrity, and an unwavering public commitment to electoral justice. Anything less would be a betrayal of Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.