By Michael Oche
Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) has raised the alarm over alleged constitutional breach in the recent nomination of national commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by President Bola Tinubu.
PAACA in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, addressed to Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urged the senate to critically review the nomination, noting that an approval of the nomination will amount to Constitutional violation.
The organization commended the long-overdue appointment of a commissioner from the South-East but expressed grave concerns over a perceived constitutional breach in the new list.
The letter however, pointed out that one of the nominees, Tukur AbdulRasaq, hails from Katsina State in the North-West, a region already represented by two serving commissioners.
PAACA argued that approving this nomination would violate Section 14(1) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which limits INEC to twelve National Commissioners, ensuring equitable regional representation. The group warned that such an action risks eroding public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and undermining federal character principles.
PAACA’s letter further cited a precedent from July 2023 when the Senate rejected Lauretta Onochie’s nomination due to a similar issue of regional overrepresentation.
The organisation urged the Senate Committee on INEC to adopt the same rigor in reviewing the current nominations, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and balance in national appointments.
The letter in part reads, “we wish to draw the Senate’s attention to a significant constitutional matter arising from these nominations. Section 14(1) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), stipulates that INEC shall consist of a Chairman and twelve National Electoral Commissioners.
“Currently, the northwest geopolitical zone is represented by two National Commissioners, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru from Kebbi State and Professor Muhammed Sani Kallah from Katsina State. By nominating Tukur AbdulRasaq, also from the North-West and Katsina State in particular, President Tinubu risks creating a breach of the Constitution.
“Approving this nomination would result in three commissioners from the same region, exceeding the constitutionally mandated twelve commissioners and potentially undermining the principle of federal character.”
