Alhaji Yabagi Yusuf Sani, National Chairman of the Advanced Democratic Party (ADP), has called on the National Assembly to strip the President of Nigeria of the constitutional powers to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). According to him, allowing the president, who is often a contestant in elections, to make such critical appointments threatens the credibility of the democratic process and undermines public trust.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sani argued that electoral and security institutions must be independent of political interference to function effectively. “It is not good for the president to appoint the INEC chairman and everybody that matters in the commission,” he said. He also raised concerns about the appointment of the IGP and other top police officials by the president, stressing that the police play an integral role in elections and national security, and should therefore be insulated from partisan influence.
Sani proposed a new model where appointments to key institutions like INEC and the police would be made through a broad-based committee involving nonpartisan actors. This committee, he said, should include the National Judicial Council, civil society organizations, the media, and other apolitical stakeholders. According to him, this would ensure that those appointed are accountable to the public, not to the president. He pointed to examples from other democracies such as the United States and Mexico, where similar positions are either filled through elections or independent vetting processes.
Reflecting on President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office, Sani offered a mixed assessment. While he praised Tinubu for maintaining national unity and navigating a complex security environment, he noted that many Nigerians still expect more from his administration. “From that perspective, I will say that Tinubu has done very well, because we are still one country, experiencing relative peace, not minding the skirmishes and challenges from the bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements,” he said. However, he added that there are important areas where the president has yet to meet expectations.
Sani also shared his experience during the 2023 presidential election, in which he contested and served as the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). He recalled how he intervened when INEC’s collation process came under threat, urging political parties to stay the course and avoid a collapse of the democratic process. Though this action led to his removal as IPAC chair, Sani said he has no regrets, as safeguarding democracy was more important than holding any title.
In conclusion, the ADP chairman called for more inclusive governance and equitable appointments, particularly in sectors like finance, which are critical to economic recovery. He urged President Tinubu to adopt a leadership style that truly reflects democratic values and places the Nigerian people at the center of policymaking. According to Sani, such steps are necessary to deepen democracy and build lasting public confidence in government institutions.
