The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to make public details of the process for appointing the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will complete his 10-year tenure in November 2025, after serving two five-year terms.

His successor is expected to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

In a letter dated September 27, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the president to disclose details of the selection and appointment process for Yakubu’s replacement.

The group demanded clarity on the number and names of candidates for INEC chairman and whether the Council of State has been consulted or would be consulted in making the appointment, as constitutionally required.

SERAP also called on Tinubu to “use the opportunity of the appointment of a new INEC chairman to reconsider your appointment of at least three alleged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the INEC and to nominate non-members of a political party as replacements.

“The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be ‘a closed shop.’

“A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests,” the group said.

SERAP cited Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that the INEC chairman “shall be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”