Faulting the appointment, the group pointed out that the North-West geopolitical zone is currently represented by two National Commissioners - Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru from Kebbi State and Professor Muhammed Sani Kallah from Katsina State.
Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has been urged not to violate the Federal Character Principle in the appointment of the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to avoid undermining the democratic institution as the country heads to the 2027 general elections.
Civil organisation, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), stated this in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Abdulrazak Yusuf Tukur, from Katsina State in the North West Zone, as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Faulting the appointment, the group pointed out that the North-West geopolitical zone is currently represented by two National Commissioners - Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru from Kebbi State and Professor Muhammed Sani Kallah from Katsina State.
With the recent appointment, Katsina State now has two INEC National Commissioners whereas the entire South East region has only one Commissioner and President Tinubu has ignored the replacement of South-East vacant position more than one year.
The letter which was signed by Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa, made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, is copied to President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
"We urge you to uphold the Federal Character Principle in all governmental appointments, especially within crucial institutions like INEC. This action will go a long way in strengthening democracy in Nigeria and ensuring that every region feels adequately represented within our national electoral system," the group's letter noted.
While expressing deep concerns with the recent appointment made on Monday, November 4, 2024, of Abdulrazak Yusuf Tukur, which adds a third representative from the North West geopolitical zone, it stated that it constitutes a clear violation of the Federal Character Principle, which mandates balanced representation of Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones.
"Adding a third National Commissioner from the same region breaks, the longstanding practice of equal representation in INEC appointments across the six geopolitical zones and undermines public trust in a balanced and impartial electoral body," the letter noted.
"Your Excellency, there is no public information indicating that Professor Muhammed Sani Kallah from Katsina, has resigned as a National Commissioner, or that a vacancy exists in this position. This raises questions about the need for appointing a third representative from the North West, particularly from the same state."
Citing Section 14(2) and the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), the group noted that since its inception, INEC has followed a structure in which each geopolitical zone is represented by two national commissioners.
"The recent decision to appoint a third National Commissioner from the North West—while leaving the South East with only one representative since July 2023—breaks with this established balance and sets a concerning precedent.
"It is important to respectfully draw your attention that it has now been one year and four months since Barrister Festus Okoye, the former National Commissioner representing the South East, completed his first tenure in July 2023. Despite the South East’s vacancy remaining unfilled, this recent appointment rushed to fill the North West’s vacancy instead, thus elevating the representation of one region above others.
"This delay in filling the South East vacancy and the rush to add a third representative to the North West raises significant questions about the fairness and impartiality of INEC’s composition. Such actions suggest a regional imbalance that could impact the Commission’s ability to conduct elections credibly, especially as we approach the 2027 general elections.
"It is our humble opinion that for INEC to fulfill its mandate effectively, it must embody impartiality and reflect the balanced representation of Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical regions. The current over representation of the North West and the underrepresentation of the South East undermines the public’s confidence in the Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
"As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, these imbalances create significant credibility concerns that could undermine trust in the electoral process and INEC’s role as an unbiased institution."
The group, however, demanded that President Tinubu should reconsider the appointment of Tukur from the North West geopolitical zone to avoid breaching the Federal Character Principle.
"Prioritise filling the South-East’s long-standing vacancy with a qualified National Commissioner from that region, restoring the balanced representation in INEC.
"Ensure that future appointments reflect equitable distribution among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, as mandated by the Constitution."