According to a report by Daily Post, on Tuesday January 20, 2026, former United Nations Secretary-General, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate with integrity and remain beyond suspicion.
Gambari stated that INEC, as the body overseeing elections, must be trusted by all Nigerians, he said that INEC should not only have technical competence but also a strong reputation for honesty and fairness.
Gambari suggested that the process of appointing INEC leaders might need to be reviewed to ensure they are people of proven integrity and noted that in the past, judges and academics have been chosen to lead the commission.
However, he said this approach did not always achieve the desired results, according to him, what matters most is the personal integrity and track record of the individuals leading INEC.
Gambari stressed the importance of civil society groups in holding INEC accountable, he said these groups should ensure the commission operates properly and remains impartial in its work.
The former UN chief described INEC as the electoral referee of the country, adding that it must be beyond suspicion, similar to the saying about Caesar’s wife, who must be above reproach.
Gambari highlighted that maintaining a transparent and credible election body is key to Nigeria’s democracy and urged that future appointments to INEC should focus not just on qualifications but on the character of the candidates, this, he said, would help strengthen public confidence in elections and the democratic process in Nigeria.
“INEC is the electoral referee and in many ways, the INEC must be like Caesar’s wife beyond suspicion. Maybe we should take a second look at how they are appointed to ensure that they should be beyond suspicion and beyond technical competence,” he said.
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