BREAKING NEWS: House of Representatives Considers Bill to Strip President of Power to Appoint INEC Chairman

In a move that could dramatically reshape Nigeria’s electoral process, the House of Representatives is currently considering a bill that seeks to strip the President of the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The proposed legislation, which surfaced during a heated plenary session today, aims to transfer the responsibility of appointing the INEC Chairman to an independent body or committee, in order to bolster electoral integrity, transparency, and public trust.

Lawmakers pushing for the bill argue that allowing the President—who is typically a member of a political party and often seeking re-election or influencing succession—to appoint the nation’s chief electoral officer presents a clear conflict of interest.

“Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive when the referee is picked by one of the players,” a ranking lawmaker declared on the floor, receiving murmurs of agreement across party lines.

Supporters of the bill are advocating for a neutral selection panel, possibly involving the judiciary, civil society, and the National Assembly itself, to ensure a truly independent INEC leadership. The move comes amid widespread concerns about electoral manipulation, voter suppression, and growing distrust in the system.

Opposition voices, however, have raised caution, warning that such a fundamental change must be approached carefully to avoid creating power struggles or weakening executive authority in ways that could backfire.

The bill, if passed, would require a constitutional amendment, meaning it must secure two-thirds majority support in both chambers of the National Assembly and gain approval from a majority of state Houses of Assembly.

Political analysts say this could be a game-changing reform ahead of the 2027 general elections, potentially rewriting how Nigeria’s democracy functions at its core.

As the debate intensifies, all eyes are now on the National Assembly. Will lawmakers finally deliver the electoral reform Nigerians have long demanded, or will politics once again override progress?