CEPCCN CALLS FOR TRANSPARENT, MERIT-BASED AND CONSTITUTIONALLY COMPLIANT INEC APPOINTMENTS.

CEPCCN ISSUES FIRM POSITION ON INEC APPOINTMENTS, DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY AND NATIONAL BALANCE

OFFICIAL INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT | 14 OCTOBER 2026

The Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN) calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the highest standards of transparency, constitutional compliance, professional competence and institutional impartiality in its appointments.

Reacting to concerns raised by Dr. Uche Diala over the reported regional composition of INEC's departmental leadership, CEPCCN states unequivocally that public confidence in Nigeria's electoral system must be protected through fair appointments, accountable administration and demonstrable respect for applicable constitutional requirements.

While the allegations require independent verification, credible concerns must not be dismissed without examination. INEC has a responsibility to provide appropriate clarification and demonstrate that its appointment procedures are lawful, fair and professionally defensible.

CONSTITUTIONAL COMPLIANCE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

Section 14(3) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, as amended, establishes the federal-character principle to promote national unity and prevent sectional predominance in federal institutions. The Federal Character Commission has responsibilities for monitoring and enforcing compliance with applicable federal-character requirements.

CEPCCN maintains that appointments to sensitive electoral departments must reflect professional competence, integrity, merit, due process and equitable representation as required by applicable law. Merit and federal characters are complementary obligations, not competing excuses.

We therefore call for credible concerns about departmental appointments to be addressed through factual clarification, appropriate institutional review and lawful corrective action wherever a violation is established.

REJECT ETHNIC POLARISATION; DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY

No individual should be judged incompetent or disloyal merely because of ethnic origin. Equally, no institution should invoke professionalism or merit to evade legitimate questions about representation and fairness.

Our position is firm: ethnicity must not determine institutional privilege, and public accountability must never be sacrificed to political convenience. Allegations must be supported by evidence, and conclusions must follow facts rather than prejudice.

Guided by Proverbs 18:13, which warns against judging a matter before hearing it fully, CEPCCN calls for responsible scrutiny, impartial investigation and correction of any proven irregularity. Christian wisdom requires courage to challenge injustice and humility to acknowledge facts.

CEPCCN'S OFFICIAL DEMANDS

CEPCCN calls upon:

1. INEC to uphold transparent, lawful and merit-based appointment procedures and clarify credible concerns. 2. The Federal Character Commission to address properly submitted complaints within its constitutional mandate. 3. Political leaders and the media to verify allegations and reject inflammatory ethnic narratives. 4. All Nigerians to demand fairness consistently, without promoting sectional dominance or collective blame. 5. Public institutions to strengthen accountability, professional standards and public communication.

OUR INSTITUTIONAL POSITION

CEPCCN will neither endorse unverified allegations nor remain indifferent to credible concerns affecting the integrity of a national institution. Our duty is to defend truth, justice, constitutional responsibility and the common good—without partisan alignment or ethnic hostility.

INEC's credibility is a national asset. It must be protected through conduct that is demonstrably fair, transparent and accountable to Nigerians.

The standard is clear: constitutional compliance without compromise, merit without favouritism, representation without discrimination, and accountability without political interference.

May wisdom guide our leaders, justice govern our institutions, and truth strengthen our national unity.

FAITH • WISDOM • PROFESSIONALISM • JUSTICE • NATIONAL UNITY

Signed:

His Lordship, Bishop Justice Alpha Ikpeama Director-General (D-G) Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN)

“Champions of Professionalism and Wisdom in Christ.”