“Stop politicising the electoral body,” Peter Ameh slams INEC for allowing FCDA build its headquarters

Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and 2019 presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Peter Ameh, has issued a stern condemnation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he describes as a “dangerous” and “undemocratic” move—allowing the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to construct its new national headquarters.

In a strongly worded press statement on Tuesday, Ameh warned that the decision constitutes a “direct assault on the commission’s constitutional independence,” and threatens to reverse the gains Nigeria has made in electoral reform.

“The recent decision by INEC to allow the FCDA to construct its new national headquarters in Abuja is deeply troubling and constitutes a direct assault on the commission’s constitutional independence,” he declared.

Citing key constitutional provisions, Ameh emphasized that INEC’s autonomy is enshrined in law.

“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly safeguards INEC’s autonomy under Section 158(1), which insulates the commission from external control in its operations,” he explained.

“Furthermore, Section 81(3) provides for a direct line charge to INEC’s budget, ensuring financial independence through funds drawn directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

He noted that the funding mechanism was designed to eliminate political interference, stating:

“This mechanism, reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022, was designed to eliminate INEC’s reliance on politically controlled entities, thereby curing the historical problem of undue influence over the election management body.”

Chief Ameh also criticized INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu’s justification for the project, which referenced a similar FCDA involvement decades ago.

“The justification offered by INEC’s Chairman—that the FCDA’s role in building the commission’s initial headquarters when it relocated from Lagos validates its current involvement—is outdated and indefensible,” he said.

“Nigeria’s electoral laws have evolved significantly, and such arrangements are no longer acceptable for an institution tasked with conducting free, fair, and credible elections.”

He raised concerns about the political control of the FCDA, pointing to its current leadership under the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“The mere fact that FCDA was allowed to initiate and carry out the construction of the new headquarters speaks volumes,” he said.

“An agency under the Federal Capital Territory Administration and subject to political oversight by Nymsom Wike… INEC risks compromising its impartiality and eroding public trust in the electoral process.”

Ameh also expressed concern over misplaced priorities within INEC, urging the commission to focus on the welfare of its workforce rather than “grandiose” infrastructure projects.

“Equally concerning is INEC’s misplaced priority in focusing on a new headquarters while neglecting the welfare of its staff—the bureaucratic backbone of the commission,” he said.

“The employees who manage voter registration, election logistics, and result collation deserve competitive salaries, adequate training, and improved working conditions.”

He called on the commission to immediately reverse its course.

“I call on INEC to immediately halt this arrangement with the FCDA and leverage its direct line charge to independently fund and manage the construction of its headquarters.”

He also appealed to the National Assembly to fulfill its oversight role.

“The National Assembly must exercise its oversight powers to ensure that INEC’s budget reflects its infrastructural and operational needs without reliance on external agencies.”

In conclusion, Chief Ameh issued a broader warning on the implications of compromising INEC’s autonomy.

“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral body that upholds its constitutional mandate of independence and prioritizes the mechanisms that drive credible elections,” he said.

“Any attempt to undermine INEC’s autonomy threatens the foundation of our democracy. We must act swiftly to protect the integrity of our electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.”