Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent individuals with political ties—particularly spouses of politicians—from holding sensitive positions within the commission.
Oshiomhole made the appeal during the Senate screening of the new INEC boss, citing a past incident in Edo State as an example of how conflicts of interest can compromise electoral integrity.
“One last point, an experience we had in Edo State,” Oshiomhole said. “The chairman of a political party—one that is dying now—had his wife serving as a director or heading the ICT unit of INEC in the state.”
According to him, such appointments blur the line between partisan politics and electoral administration, creating opportunities for manipulation.
“The husband, being the PDP chairman at the time, had his wife boasting that she could supply information that would help them deal with accreditation issues,” Oshiomhole alleged.
He called on the incoming INEC leadership to institute clear policies that will bar the spouses of politicians from sensitive roles, stressing that this would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
“Will you be able, as you have assured us, to make a policy that says if you are a spouse of a politician, you cannot be given a sensitive appointment? We must avoid turning INEC into a family affair,” he added.
