Celestine Omehia, former Governor of Rivers State, has advocated for the election of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, instead of a presidential appointment.
In his book ‘Restructuring Nigeria: The Way Forward,’ Omehia suggested that national commissioners of INEC should be elected at the provincial level to ensure fair representation.
He emphasised the need for INEC’s financial independence to be constitutionally protected to prevent reliance on the executive branch.
Omehia acknowledged that his proposals may be unconventional but maintained that they would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and empower sub-national governments.
“In my book, I suggested that instead of an appointment, there must be an election to determine who becomes the INEC national chairman.
“Then the other commissioners, since elections will affect the states, must go to the province.
“There must be an election at the provincial level to bring in national commissioners of INEC,” Omehia noted.