Former Chairman of the Nationwide Human Rights Fee, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has alleged that the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) is closely influenced by political pursuits from the presidency and state governments.
Odinkalu made the declare whereas talking on Channels Tv’s Politics As we speak on Thursday, throughout a dialogue on the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the brand new Chairman of INEC.
He described Amupitan, his former classmate in legislation faculty, as an individual of integrity and intelligence, expressing hope that he would keep his ideas all through his tenure on the electoral physique.
Nonetheless, he warned that INEC is “a territory dominated by many principalities,” noting that the fee is riddled with political interference.
Odinkalu additional claimed that just about all high politicians within the nation have affect inside the fee.
He stated: “Nicely, I’ve received to say, I do know Josh. We had been in legislation faculty collectively. We had been in the identical legislation faculty class, and we had been admitted to the Nigerian Bar on the identical day. He’s what he stated he’s. Josh is an individual of fundamental decency and integrity. And he’s vivid as hell.
“My hope is that he’ll depart, when finally his time comes, his tenure involves an finish, he’ll depart INEC as the identical Josh whom I’ve recognized for the previous 38 years.
“Now, INEC, clearly, is a distinct kettle of fish from operating a college as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Though, you recognize, universities are additionally very political locations, by the way in which, so it’s no imply talent, by the way in which, to be Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) in a college just like the College of Jos, which is the final public place he took earlier than he got here to this place.
“Having stated that, I can inform you that INEC can also be a territory dominated by lots of principalities, as he’s prone to discover out. There are many pursuits in INEC. Just about each employees member in INEC is accounted for. Each politician owns lots of employees inside INEC, alright? And so earlier than he says, ‘Good morning,’ there may be any individual reporting that to at least one politician. And he’s going to find very quickly that it’s a really lonely place. It’s a thankless job.
“The individuals fascinated by what he eats for breakfast are too many. The individuals fascinated by what he thinks, how he prays, even about what he needs to do, as a lot as, which is essential, what he precludes and whom he precludes from turning into the dominant principality inside INEC. I believe that’s in all probability what he’s going to seek out out. However as for the person himself, I do know him moderately effectively. He’s higher, loads higher, by way of integrity, let me say this, than the individual whom he’s changing.
“Once I stated that INEC is a spot dominated by a number of principalities, that’s precisely the purpose I used to be attempting to make, there isn’t a senior politician from the presidency to the state governments who doesn’t have a plant in INEC.”
