…Blames constitutional framework, not electoral body, for perceived bias
…Says ADP rejects zoning, prioritises competence
…Party holds NEC meeting in Abuja
National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Yusuf Sani, has called for an amendment of the 1999 Constitution to strip the President of the sole power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that such authority is prone to abuse.
Sani argued that the current constitutional arrangement, which empowers the President to nominate the INEC chairman subject to Senate confirmation, concentrates excessive influence in the executive arm and undermines the independence of the electoral body.
Speaking on Wednesday at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and INEC verification exercise at the ADP national secretariat in Abuja, he maintained that the issue of alleged bias in the electoral system should be traced to the constitutional structure rather than the commission itself.
“The Constitution must be amended so that no single individual has the power to appoint the INEC chairman. It is not just about President Bola Tinubu any leader vested with such authority could abuse it,” he said.
Citing Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Sani noted that while the Senate’s confirmation is designed as a check, the nomination process remains firmly in the hands of the executive, leaving room for undue influence.
He dismissed allegations that INEC is deliberately biased in favour of the current administration, describing such claims as misplaced.
“We created the system that produced INEC, just like other institutions—the police, judiciary, and National Assembly. The problem is not INEC alone but the system we have built,” he stated.
On the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the ADP chairman said the party would not adopt a zoning arrangement, stressing that competence, rather than regional or ethnic considerations, would determine its choice of candidate.
“Politics is open to everyone with the capacity to lead. Our focus is on competence and the ability to deliver democratic dividends, not where a candidate comes from,” he said.
Sani also criticised the administration of President Tinubu, accusing it of promoting nepotism and concentrating power within a narrow circle, warning that such an approach undermines inclusive governance.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that the party would adopt a consensus-based approach for its primaries, anchored on unity and internal cohesion, expressing confidence that the ADP is well-positioned to win the 2027 general election.
Addressing broader national issues, Sani acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship and governance challenges, assuring Nigerians that the ADP is committed to providing practical solutions and positioning itself as a credible alternative capable of forming the next government.
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