Keep politicians’ spouses away from INEC sensitive roles, Oshiomhole tells chairman-designate

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has advised the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that spouses and close relatives of active politicians are not appointed into sensitive positions within the commission.

Oshiomhole, who gave the charge during the Senate screening of the nominee, argued that leaving partisan family members in core INEC departments undermines neutrality and opens room for abuse.

Recalling an incident in Edo, he said a former state party chairman once had his wife heading the ICT unit of INEC — a situation he described as a clear conflict of interest.

According to him, the woman allegedly boasted of being able to supply privileged information to influence accreditation during elections.

The former governor urged the incoming INEC leadership to set a clear administrative rule disqualifying the spouses of politicians from being posted to units handling ICT, logistics, legal services and other decision-making desks.

“We must avoid turning INEC into a family affair,” he said, insisting that ethical walls must be built around the commission to protect its credibility.