As the tenure of the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) draws to a close, Bishop Prof. Emeka Nwankpa, the convener of the South East Mandate for Good Governance, has called for the appointment of a person of unquestionable integrity to head the nation’s electoral body.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bishop Nwankpa emphasized that the selection of a new INEC Chairman must be based on competence, credibility, and impartiality, qualities he believes are essential to strengthening democracy and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

‘The appointment of a new INEC Chairman is not just a routine transition; it is a crucial opportunity to rebuild trust in our democratic institutions. The next Chairman must be a person of proven integrity and an impartial stance, free from political affiliations and vested interests,’ Bishop Nwankpa stated.

The cleric, known for his consistent advocacy for good governance in the South East and beyond, urged the Nigerian Senate to play its constitutional role diligently during the confirmation process.

He challenged the lawmakers to thoroughly scrutinize any nominee and reject any individual with questionable character or a history of partisan bias.

‘The Senate must rise to the occasion. This is not the time for rubber-stamp confirmations. Any nominee with a tainted record must be rejected outright. Our electoral future depends on the credibility of the person at the helm of INEC,’ he added.

Bishop Nwankpa reiterated that a transparent and credible electoral process begins with credible leadership at INEC, and the appointment of a capable and neutral Chairman is the first step toward achieving free, fair, and violence-free elections in the country.

His statement comes at a time when civil society groups, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens are paying close attention to the process of selecting the next electoral umpire.

As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the spotlight now turns to President and the National Assembly to make a choice that will either consolidate democracy or erode the fragile trust in the system.