Ex-Senator Obiorah Pushes Bill to Strip President, Governors of INEC Appointment Powers
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
A former lawmaker, Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, has called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to strip the President and State Governors of their powers to appoint members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
Obiorah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, made this known in Abuja while presenting a draft bill alongside a paper titled “The Philosophy of Elections and Nigeria’s Fake Democracy.”
Obiorah’s Argument on Electoral Fraud
The ex-senator criticised the current practice of entrusting appointment powers to politicians, insisting that it has entrenched electoral fraud and weakened governance.
“Since Independence, 90 per cent of all elections — parliamentary, presidential, national assembly, governorship, house of assembly, and local government council — have been brazenly stolen, rigged, perverted, or altogether nullified,” Obiorah declared.
He compared the practice to “a person being a judge in his own case,” arguing that it has resulted in what he described as “Soviet-style election results” and an avalanche of litigations that erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
Proposed Structure of a New INEC
In his bill, Obiorah recommended a restructured INEC composed of 13 commissioners.
- Six would be elected by recognised Nigerian labour and professional bodies.
- Six nominated by the United Nations.
- One observer-nominee drawn from Transparency International.
The proposed body would elect its own chairman and have complete autonomy to recruit and dismiss staff, as well as conduct elections at all levels — federal, state, and local.
Addressing concerns about sovereignty, Obiorah maintained that international involvement would not undermine Nigeria’s independence but rather reflect a “voluntary commitment to curb corruption and strengthen electoral integrity.”
Mandatory Use of Technology
The former senator also emphasised the need for compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) and the electronic transmission of results via the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). However, he noted that technology alone cannot guarantee free and fair elections without a neutral and credible electoral body.
Call for Democratic Renewal
Obiorah expressed confidence that the proposed reforms would not only restore trust in Nigeria’s electoral process but also lay the foundation for economic recovery and democratic consolidation.
“Honest elections are the foundation of genuine democracy and national development,” he insisted, adding that credible polls could provide the pathway for lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
The draft bill is currently before the National Assembly for consideration.
🎓 Attend 2026 JAMB, Post-UTME, WAEC, and NECO GCE Tutorials
Get fully prepared with expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and personalised academic guidance at Akahi Tutors.
📍 Located at 67, Oduduwa College Road, Off Sabo Junction, Ile-Ife.
📞 Call: 08038644328
for enrollment and accommodation reservation.
