On the controversy surrounding the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as INEC Chairman

INEC is supposed to be an Independent Commission. By that, it means the body is expected to be an impartial. It must not be subjected to the either Executive or Legislature or the appointing authority. Therefore, the head of the commission should not in any way be related in anyway whatsoever to the appointing authority. Despite its seeming independence, there have been calls to grant it more independence or autonomy.

Since the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as the acting chairman of the commission, there have been allegations that Amina Zakari is related to Buhari. Although she is said be be from Jigawa, nobody has refuted the allegation that her father the Late Emir of Kazaure got married to President Buhari's elder sister. In fact, it was also reported that Buhari spent his formative years with the former Emir of Kazaure. These allegations are in the public domain and nobody, not even the aides of the president who saw nothing wrong in responding to Nnamdi Kalu's (Radio Biafra) allegations, have deemed it fit to say something on this vexatious and controversial issues.

If something is not done about these allegations, and she is finally confirmed as the substantive chairman of INEC, tongues will wag and it won't be only by the 'wailing wailers'(whatever that means). It will raise eye brows. Even if the APC wins subsequent elections free and fair,questions will be asked on the impartiality of INEC. Chief Godsday Orubebe caused a commotion and confusion during the last election because he felt Professor Jega was biased. Why did Orubebe think like that? The answer is simple; Jega is a Northerner and the result was favouring a Northern candidate. A similar scenario may have played out if the INEC chairman was from the South-South, and the result favoured a candidate from there. Imagine the INEC chairman being related to the president either by blood or marriage? The Orubeberisation would be better imagined than experienced.

I agree with those who say she is competent. I have always advocated for competence. Hey, Amina Zakari is not the only competent one for the job. If we look deeply, we certainly will find some competent hands. The way Jega was found, another can be found. Mrs. Zakari can be given a position where she can be helpful and bring her competence to the fore; but for this INEC job, please let's have a rethink