“Stop politicians’ spouses from holding sensitive positions in INEC” – Oshiomhole tells electoral commission chair

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent individuals with close political ties, particularly spouses of politicians, from occupying sensitive positions within the commission.

Speaking during the Senate screening of the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Oshiomhole cited his personal experiences in Edo State as evidence of how such relationships can compromise the neutrality and credibility of elections. He recounted an incident in which the wife of a political party chairman held a key position in INEC’s ICT department during an election period, describing it as a clear conflict of interest.

“One last point, an experience we had in Edo State, because the Senate President said we should speak from our own experiences. 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,” Oshiomhole said.

He alleged that the woman, whose husband was the chairman of the PDP at the time, openly claimed she could provide insider information to aid her husband’s party in dealing with accreditation issues. Oshiomhole said such situations blur the line between electoral management and partisan politics, opening the door for manipulation.

The senator urged the incoming INEC leadership to adopt clear policies to eliminate potential conflicts of interest. “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 said.