Falana Backs Public Advertising of INEC Positions, Advocates Diaspora Voting

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called for the public advertisement of vacant positions in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a way to strengthen the commission’s independence.

Falana said the recommendation, first made by the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais Electoral Reform Panel in 2008, would ensure transparency and credibility in the appointment of INEC members and resident electoral commissioners.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the senior lawyer noted that some African countries, including Lesotho and Botswana, had already adopted similar mechanisms.

“What other countries in Africa have done is to put in place a system whereby vacant positions in electoral bodies are advertised,” Falana said.
“This was part of the Uwais Panel’s recommendation — that positions for INEC commissioners and resident electoral commissioners should be publicly advertised so credible Nigerians can apply.”

He explained that the process would allow members of the public to raise objections against candidates who are unqualified “morally or otherwise,” after which the National Judicial Council (NJC) would screen the applicants and recommend the best three to the National Assembly.

“The President would then forward the shortlisted names to the National Assembly for final selection. This would help make INEC free from political control,” he added.

New INEC Chairman Confirmed

Falana’s comments come amid renewed public scrutiny of INEC’s independence following the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, a law scholar, as the new INEC Chairman.

The Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment last Thursday after he was screened by lawmakers. The 58-year-old professor, nominated by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who recently concluded his tenure.

Falana Pushes for Diaspora Voting

The senior lawyer also renewed calls for the inclusion of Nigerians in the diaspora in the country’s electoral process.

“Today, remittances from citizens abroad are sometimes higher than what we earn from oil and gas. If they are remitting millions of dollars that boost the economy, they should also have the right to vote,” Falana argued.

He further urged the government to implement the Uwais Panel’s recommendation for the prosecution of electoral offenders, which he said remains key to achieving credible elections.

Senate Advances Electoral Amendment Bill

Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 for second reading.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), seeks to improve Nigeria’s electoral framework and strengthen INEC’s autonomy by insulating it from political interference.

Lalong noted that while the Electoral Act 2022 introduced major reforms, it also exposed several weaknesses — including delayed release of election funds, disputes over voter registers, conflicting interpretations of result transmission, and weak enforcement of electoral offences.

The proposed amendment also introduces a shift in the burden of proof in election petitions, placing greater responsibility on INEC to demonstrate the credibility of election outcomes.