Gambari: INEC must be clean and beyond suspicion

Former UN Secretary-General Prof Ibrahim Gambari has called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be clean and beyond suspicion, emphasizing that integrity should be the core qualification for its leadership.

Speaking on Arise Television's 'Prime Time' on Monday, January 19, 2026, Gambari argued that the electoral body, which serves as the referee for Nigeria's democracy, must model the standard of being "like Caesar's wife beyond suspicion." He urged a review of the appointment process to prioritize proven integrity and track record over professional backgrounds like judges or professors.

Gambari noted that previous attempts to appoint judges for justice and professors for neutrality have not yielded the desired results. Instead, he stressed the need for individuals with unimpeachable character. He also called for stronger civil society oversight to ensure INEC officials "stay in their lane" and maintain their mandate without partisan interference.

This comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, where INEC faces increasing pressure to defend its credibility against falsehoods and deliver credible elections, as highlighted in other recent statements. With the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise resuming and voter registers being published, the integrity of the electoral referee is a central concern for Nigerian citizens.

Given the critical role INEC plays in shaping Nigeria's democratic future, how should the appointment process be reformed to ensure the commission remains trusted and effective for upcoming elections?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/20/inec-should-be-clean-beyond-suspicion-ibrahim-gambari/