The National Chairman of the Advanced Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Sani, has called for a constitutional review to strip the President of Nigeria of the powers to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and key police officers, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Naija News reports that Sani made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, emphasising that such concentrated powers pose a threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
The ADP chairman argued that allowing the president, who is often a candidate in elections, to appoint electoral and security chiefs compromises the principle of neutrality in the electoral process.
He said, “It is not good for the president to appoint the INEC chairman and everybody that matters in the commission.
“Again, the most leading security agency in a democratic government is the police. How does he appoint our IGP, the DIG, and others, when they are the ones that protect people and play fundamental roles in elections?”
He urged the National Assembly to prioritise a review of the constitutional clauses that empower the president to make such critical appointments if Nigeria truly desires a level playing field.
Proposing a new approach, Sani suggested that apolitical bodies such as the National Judicial Council, civil society organisations, and the media should play a greater role in selecting electoral and police chiefs.
“If such appointees emerge through a process not involving the president, their commitments would be to the people, not to the president,” he stated.
Sani noted that in democracies like the United States and Mexico, police chiefs are elected rather than appointed, a model he believes Nigeria should consider.
On Tinubu’s Two Years: “He’s Done Well, But More Is Expected”
Assessing President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office, Sani, who also contested the 2023 presidential election, acknowledged the complexities of governance and praised Tinubu for maintaining national unity amid rising insecurity.
“To govern a country is not an easy task. 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 bandits and terrorists,” he said.
However, he noted that certain expectations remain unmet.
“Things are not totally alright. There are certain things he ought to have done or should have been doing that he is not doing yet,” he added.
Describing Tinubu as a long-standing democrat who fought for Nigeria’s democratic space, Sani said his leadership style must reflect those ideals.
“Some of us expected that his coming should be an Eldorado for our democracy,” he remarked.
Sani recounted his own role during the controversial 2023 presidential election collation, when tensions rose over alleged irregularities by INEC.
“At the risk of everything, I stood up and called the chairmen of political parties, held a meeting with them, and made them understand the obvious danger of truncating the process,” he revealed.
He noted that the stance cost him his position as Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), but said he remains proud of helping to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
Sani concluded by urging President Tinubu to adopt a leadership style that reflects equity and inclusion, especially in economic and financial appointments.
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