Civil Society Calls on Tinubu to Withdraw Umoren’s REC Appointment

A Call for the Withdrawal of Mr. Etekamba Umoren’s Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has bravely banded together to demand that Mr. Etekamba Umoren’s appointment as a resident electoral commissioner (REC) be immediately revoked.

President Bola Tinubu is the target of this passionate appeal to action, which is supported by serious constitutional concerns about Umoren’s alleged partisan political affiliations. The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, is leading the coalition in speaking out against the appointment.

The coalition’s main point of contention is that they feel Mr. Umoren’s appointment goes against the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). They specifically make reference to section 156(1)(a) and Third Part I, item F, Paragraph 14(1) of the constitution, which categorically prohibit people from serving as RECs in Akwa Ibom who are involved in partisan politics or who possess a valid political party membership card.

Speaking to the media in Uyo, Isong stated unequivocally, “We all demand that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remove Mr. Etekamba Umoren’s appointment as an INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner from Akwa Ibom state in the public interest. The nonpartisanship criteria of the Constitution are not met by Mr. Etekamba Umoren.”

The political past of Mr. Umoren is the main source of concern for the coalition. They claim that in addition to being a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Umoren is also a practicing politician with a history of holding elected office.

This includes working for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Government until switching to the APC on August 8, 2018. Moreover, Umoren’s vigorous campaigning for the APC in Akwa Ibom State during the general elections is perceived as a major obstacle to his objectivity.

“As a card-carrying member of the APC, Mr. Etekamba Umoren is not qualified for such an appointment in line with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the APC,” Isong said, reiterating the coalition’s position.

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In addition to calling for the prompt retraction of Mr. Umoren’s nomination, the coalition also acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts to guarantee that appointments are distributed fairly among the 36 states that make up the Federation. The People’s Rights to Life Democratic Foundation, Vital Partners for Development, Education Support Associates, Civil Society Network for Development, Young & Girls Child Education Network, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), and Education Support Associates are some of the organizations that make up the coalition.

The coalition’s request for Mr. Etekamba Umoren to resign as a Resident Electoral Commissioner underscores the significance of upholding constitutional principles of nonpartisanship in electoral affairs, particularly in view of the ongoing discussion surrounding his appointment. Since this appeal deals with a crucial component of the democratic process—ensuring fair and impartial electoral oversight—the result will definitely be widely followed.