By Peter Oriri
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs engaged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today during an investigative hearing.
The Committee cleared INEC of major breaches in its employment and infrastructure distribution practices, following a high-profile investigation into allegations of marginalisation, irregularities, and non-adherence to the Federal Character Principle currently being addressed in the Senate.
Speaking after the session, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East), stated that although there were discrepancies in workforce distribution among states, INEC’s practices were found to be more equitable compared to other government agencies. He cited Lagos, Bayelsa, and Rivers States as having relatively fewer INEC staff but noted that no evidence of deliberate exclusion or large-scale violations was found.
The investigation followed a resolution of the Senate directing the Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to examine the non-compliance of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with Federal Character Principles in their recruitment and infrastructure allocation. Reports of secret recruitment allegedly carried out by INEC between 2017 and 2021, without requisite waivers or certificates of compliance from the Federal Character Commission, were dismissed by the Chairman as unfounded.
During the hearing, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, along with National Commissioners and the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, provided clarifications on the Commission’s employment policies. Professor Yakubu explained that no large-scale recruitment had taken place since 2013, with recent hirings limited to security personnel at local offices based on state needs rather than federal character considerations.
He also noted two exceptional cases of employment made on compassionate grounds—one involving a deceased NYSC member killed during election duty, and another involving an individual who lost their eyesight while serving the Commission.
INEC disclosed that it currently has 14,000 staff and 800 offices nationwide, including offices in all 774 local government areas of the Federation.
The Committee commended INEC for its transparency and cooperation throughout the probe, and praised Professor Yakubu’s leadership. “INEC’s engagement and clarity in defending their processes have been exemplary—it is the best so far,” Senator Onyesoh said. He added that while the Committee found no systemic breach, it would continue to monitor the implementation of suggested corrections and maintain oversight to ensure ongoing compliance.
Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East) pointed out that the Committee observed some gaps in INEC’s submissions and urged the Commission to address them to ensure fair representation for all Nigerians. Similarly, Senator Amos Yohanna (Adamawa North) urged the Commission to correct all imbalances in its future recruitment exercises.
The Committee also directed the Commission to resolve major discrepancies in its submissions and instructed its Executive Secretary to provide the Committee with more accurate documentation going forward.
This development is expected to bolster public confidence in INEC as preparations for future elections continue.
