Tinubu's REC appointments are a mockery of INEC's independence

President Tinubu just nominated 10 new Resident Electoral Commissioners and the Senate confirmed them, even when some of these people are clearly APC members. Take Etekamba Umoren from Akwa Ibom, the guy was Chief of Staff to Godswill Akpabio, publicly defected from PDP to APC in 2018, and even has photos wearing APC attire at campaign rallies. The Constitution in section 156(1)(a) says no political party member can be appointed to INEC, but who cares about the Constitution in this country.

And they confirmed Isah Shaka for Edo State, a man who was openly campaigning for APC on his Facebook page before his appointment. In 2019 the Senate rejected a nominee for being an APC card-carrying member, and in 2021 they rejected Lauretta Onochie for the same reason. Now suddenly the rules don't apply. This is how you destroy election credibility before the next cycle even starts. RECs handle the entire election logistics in their states, from staff training to material distribution. You think an APC loyalist in Rivers State will be fair to PDP candidates? Be honest, are we even surprised anymore.