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Former INEC chairman calls for reforms

Samson Toromade

June 13, 2017 1:24 PM

The former Chairman of INEC advocated for a more independent appointment process for the electoral body.

Professor Attahiru Jega

Attahiru Jega has called for reform to the process of appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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While speaking in Kano on Monday, June 13, 2017, the former Chairman of the electoral body advocated for a more independent process where the country's president has no say in who gets appointed as chairman.

Jega said, "Still the president nominates INEC’s chairman.

"It is important to legislate the appointment of the INEC chairman. Despite the fact that Nigeria had achieved a lot, there was need for more reforms.

"Ghana that we celebrate has the worst process of appointing chairman of its electoral body. Once the president nominates, the nominee will obviously emerge as chairman and will stay on that position until he reaches his retirement age, which is 70."

The former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University was nominated by then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, and he remained in the position for five years, coordinating the 2011 and 2015 general elections.