Reps set to strip president of power to appoint INEC chairman, give NJC new role

July 14, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is deliberating on a proposed constitutional amendment that could strip the President of the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Instead, the National Judicial Council would be responsible for selecting the INEC chairman, a move aimed at enhancing the independence and credibility of the electoral body.

This proposal is not new, as a similar recommendation was made by the Electoral Reform Committee headed by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais, in 2007.

The Uwais committee suggested that the NJC should appoint INEC board members to insulate the commission from executive interference.

The proposed amendment also aligns with the Uwais panel’s recommendation that INEC’s funding should be a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, ensuring the commission’s financial autonomy.

If passed, the bill would be a significant step towards reducing the executive’s influence over INEC and promoting free and fair elections in Nigeria.

The outcome of this deliberation will be closely watched by stakeholders in the electoral process, as it has the potential to reshape the dynamics of Nigeria’s electoral system.