UNIEC WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY, FAIRNESS AND NATIONAL BALANCE IN INEC APPOINTMENTS. Merit, impartiality and accountability must strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

UNIEC WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS IN INEC APPOINTMENTS

OFFICIAL INSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify allegations of regional imbalance in appointments to key departmental leadership positions, particularly those responsible for electoral operations, logistics, voter registration and election monitoring.

INEC must remain impartial, professionally independent and nationally representative. Given its constitutional responsibility for conducting credible elections, any credible allegation of disproportionate regional representation in sensitive appointments deserves objective investigation and transparent clarification.

While the claims published by Dr. Uche Diala require independent verification, unanswered questions must not be allowed to undermine public confidence in the Commission.

TRANSPARENCY AND NATIONAL TRUST

UNIEC urges INEC to ensure that appointments comply with the Constitution, applicable laws and established administrative procedures, including relevant federal-character principles. Competence, integrity, merit and fairness must guide appointments, without ethnic or political favouritism.

Equally, Nigerians must distinguish legitimate scrutiny from unverified allegations. No individual should be judged solely by ethnicity, and no credible concern about institutional imbalance should be dismissed without examination.

THE WISDOM OF OUR ELDERS

An Igbo proverb says, “Eziokwu bụ ndụ”—truth is life.

Our elders also teach that responsible leadership requires courage to question possible injustice and wisdom to establish the facts before reaching conclusions.

OUR INSTITUTIONAL POSITION

UNIEC Worldwide calls for:

1. Transparent and lawful appointment procedures. 2. Fair consideration of regional representation and applicable federal-character obligations. 3. Prompt clarification of credible concerns about sensitive departmental appointments. 4. Protection of INEC's independence from ethnic and political interference. 5. Responsible public discussion grounded in verifiable evidence.

Nigeria belongs to all its citizens. No region should feel excluded from national institutions, and no region should be collectively accused without evidence.

The integrity of INEC is a national responsibility, not the private interest of any ethnic group or political establishment. The objective must be to build an electoral institution whose impartiality, competence and accountability command the confidence of every Nigerian.

ONE PEOPLE • ONE HERITAGE • MANY VOICES • ONE COLLECTIVE DESTINY.

Non-Partisan • Non-Sectarian • Constitutionally Guided • Peace-Oriented • Elder-Statesmanship Driven.

Signed: His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama Director-General (D-G) United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide

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