INEC can’t be independent if president still appoints its leadership – Cardinal Onaiyekan

Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, says the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cannot be said to be independent when the president still appoints its leadership.

Onaiyekan made the assertion when he featured in a live interview programme on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’

He was speaking on the state of the nation as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

Recall that president Bola Tinubu had in a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said INEC is neutral, a statement that has been refuted by many in different quarters of the country.

Reacting, the Christian cleric said, “How can INEC be independent while the president appoints its leadership?

“The president said that INEC is independent, but words are not enough. The Nigerian political system, the way it is now constructed, precisely is leading to a situation where INEC cannot be independent. The chairman, all the members, and all the commissioners have been appointed by the President.

“The presumption is that Mr President will appoint independent, impartial, wonderful people. But on the ground, we see that standard politicians and members of his party are appointed.”