— AWC Editorial Commentary
A quiet revolution is unfolding in Nigeria’s Senate — one that strikes at the heart of the nation’s democracy. A bill, which looks beyond the person of the President today, but the future of elections in Nigeria.
Distinguished Senator Ikechukwu Obiora (Anambra South) has tabled what may be one of the most consequential electoral reform bills in recent decades: a proposal to strip Nigeria’s President of the power to appoint the Chairman and National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), transferring that authority to a consortium of professional bodies.
If passed, this reform would permanently change how elections are managed — and could be the closest Nigeria has come to making INEC truly independent in both structure and spirit.
Why This Bill Matters: Ending the “Arbiter-Appointee Paradox”
Since 1999, a recurring criticism of Nigeria’s elections has been that the referee (INEC) is appointed by one of the competitors (the President).
This structural contradiction — the Arbiter-Appointee Paradox — has fueled:
- Declining public trust in election outcomes
- Perceptions of bias in pre-election decisions
- Frequent court litigations
- A culture of political interference in INEC leadership
Senator Obiora’s bill confronts this paradox head-on.
Under the proposed reform, INEC leadership appointments would be handled by respected professional institutions, including:
- Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)
- Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
- Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Women and youth stakeholder blocs
- Religious and traditional institutions (through structured, rotational representation)
Each group would nominate candidates through transparent internal processes. The National Assembly would then screen and confirm the nominees — removing the Presidency entirely from the chain of influence.
The Implications: A Democratic Reset?
1. A More Credible Umpire
When key sectors nominate INEC commissioners, the institution becomes less vulnerable to political capture. The moral authority of the electoral body would rise significantly.
2. Reduced Partisanship and Executive Overreach
This reform curtails a long-standing temptation by successive Presidents to tilt the electoral field.
Nigeria’s democracy may finally mature beyond incumbent manipulation.
3. Precedent for other Independent Institutions
If INEC can be freed, other bodies — ICPC, EFCC, NPC, NBC — may follow, enhancing checks and balances.
4. Stronger Public Confidence
Elections are only as strong as public trust. A people-appointed INEC stands a better chance of commanding moral legitimacy, especially among youths and first-time voters.
Possible Risks and Debates
No reform is without questions.
1. Could professional bodies become politicised?
NUJ, NBA and ASUU face internal factionalism at times. The bill must include safeguards to prevent elite capture within these groups.
2. Would government quietly influence nominations behind the scenes?
Political interference may shift — not vanish. To prevent shadow capture, the bill must mandate transparent, publicly broadcast nomination processes.
3. Will the National Assembly accept losing the President’s patronage?
Many legislators owe their victories to party structures aligned with the Presidency. Internal resistance is expected.
4. Could too many nominating bodies create gridlock?
A staggered nomination schedule and rotation system would be needed to avoid paralysis.
Despite these concerns, the potential upside greatly outweighs the risks.
Why Senator Obiora’s Bill Is Timely
Nigeria’s democracy is at an inflection point:
- Electoral violence persists.
- Court decisions now determine too many mandates.
- Voter turnout has fallen dramatically — from 69% in 2003 to just 27% in 2023 (INEC data).
- Public trust in INEC is the lowest in two decades.
A reform of this magnitude could revitalise civic engagement and restore confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Anambra South’s Growing Voice in National Electoral Reform
Senator Obiora has steadily built a reputation as one of the most reform-oriented voices in the 10th Senate.
His new bill places him squarely among the few legislators thinking boldly about Nigeria’s structural future, not just political cycles.
The move is also consistent with the long-standing democratic culture of Anambra State — home to some of Nigeria’s most vocal pro-democracy figures and civil society leaders.
Conclusion: A Bill That Deserves Bipartisan Backing
Senator Ikechukwu Obiora’s proposal to remove the President’s power to appoint INEC leadership is not merely an institutional reform — it is a democratic correction.
If Nigeria truly desires free, fair, and credible elections — this bill is a necessary step.
It will test the political class.
It will challenge entrenched interests.
But it may, at last, give Nigeria the independent electoral umpire it has always deserved.
The Senate must rise above partisan instincts and allow history — not politics — to guide its vote.
