Successive military and civilian governments of Nigeria established, named and renamed six electoral bodies charged with the task of delimiting electoral constituencies and conducting elections into the offices of the President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
They include the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Federal Electoral Commission (FEC),
Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), National Electoral Commission (NEC), National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the same vein, a total of thirteen Chairmen were appointed at different times to pilot the affairs of these electoral bodies.
They include Mr. R.E.Wraith(1958 to 1959), Mr. Eyo Esua (1964 to 1966), Chief Michael Ani (1976 to 1979) , Honourable Justice Ovie Whiskey (1980 to 1983), Professor Eme Awa (1987 to 1989), Professor Humphrey Nwosu (1989 to 1993) and Professor Okon Edet (1993).
Others are Chief Summer Dagogo-Jack (1994 to 1998), Honourable Justice Ephraim Akpata (1998 to 2000), Dr. Abel Guobadia (2000 to 2005), Professor Maurice Iwu (2005 to 2010) and Professor Attahiru Jega (2010 to 2015).
Hajia Amina Zakari acted as INEC Chairman between June and October 21,2015 when former President Buhari appointed the out-going INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu .
According to media reports , Professor Yakubu’s ten years tenure will come to an end between November and December this year.
Expectedly, many people are jostling to succeed him. However, since relevant sections of the 1999 constitution have not been amended by the National Assembly to strip the President of the power to appoint INEC Chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners, the President is not restricted from exercising the power conferred on him by the constitution to nominate and forward the name of any person he deems fit for appointment as the next Chairman of INEC to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Though the tasks before the in-coming INEC Chairman are numerous and daunting, the expectations of Nigerians from him are very high.
For instance, it is the expectation of well-meaning Nigerians that the appointment of a new INEC Chairman should be in line with the federal character which is the bedrock of Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
The appointment should therefore be based on competence,vast academic, administrative and professional experience and not sentiment or parochial political consideration.
Nigerians expect the next INEC Chairman who must be qualified and prepared for the job to organize civic, moral and political education for critical stakeholders in the electoral process particularly the electorate on their rights and obligations in the democratic project.
Aside from declaring his assets in line with the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the in-coming INEC Chairman must be a man of integrity, a detribalised Nigerian, a tested and trusted technocrat with track records of verifiable and landmark achievements in public service.
Additionally, he must be a person who has the capacity to uphold and enforce democratic principles, has respect for the rule of law, fundamental human rights and fear of God.
The in-coming INEC Chairman must have the ability to reposition INEC and address the image question with a view to rekindling public trust in the electoral body and Nigeria’s electoral process.
He is expected to provide a level playing field for all the political parties and ensure that they play by the rules guiding elections.
The in-coming INEC Chairman is expected to see his nomination and appointment as a call to serve Nigeria, a privilege to contribute to the development of democracy and not an opportunity for self enrichment.
As the saying goes that ” to whom much is given, much is expected”, Nigerians expect the in-coming INEC Chairman to collaborate with the National Assembly to facilitate the amendment to some sections of the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act that have direct bearing on the conduct and supervision of elections.
He should have the capacity to regulate the growing incidence of desperation for acquisition and retention of political power, self-succession, abuse of power of incumbency, god-fatherism, political terrorism, buying and selling of voter’s card, electoral violence, massive rigging of elections and winner-takes- all-mentality.
Most importantly, the next INEC Chairman should make patriotism his watchword by not allowing his personal interest or the interest of any politician to override the interests of Nigeria and her citizens.
For INEC to efficiently and effectively conduct free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, the Commission and her staff must be apolitical, non-partisan, impartial, neutral and independent of the executive arm of the government.
The funding of INEC and appointment of its Chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners must be divested from the executive arm of the Federal Government.
It should rather be managed by an independent and impartial commission .This will go a long way in checking alleged executive interference, manipulation and compromise of the electoral process.
Finally, Nigerians expect the in-coming INEC Chairman to guard against any form of technical glitch before, during and after the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
He must ensure that citizens’ votes count and results of the elections uploaded timely to the INEC Results Viewing Portal.
There should be legislation restraining Returning Officers selected from tertiary institutions and security agents from undermining the conduct of free and credible elections with the connivance of some INEC officials.
Nigerians expect nothing but the best from the next INEC Chairman.