Independence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Conducting Credible Elections In Nigeria

173Independence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ConductingCredible Elections In Nigeria1Ogbu, Mark [email protected] [email protected], [email protected], Ogochukwu [email protected],2,3Department of Public Administration,Ebonyi State University,Abakaliki.4Public Administration Programme,Department of Business ManagementGodfrey Okoye University Enugu.AbstractThis paper titled “Independence of Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) and Conducting Credible Elections in Nigeria”was specifically carried out to determine the extent to whichappointment of the INEC Chairman affects independence of the INECin conducting credible elections in Nigeria, to examine the extent towhich funding affects independence of INEC in their functions and toascertain the extent to which counter judgments of the judiciaryaffects independence of INEC in Nigeria. Games theory was adoptedas the theoretical framework. The study adopted qualitative researchdesign. Data were collected from secondary sources. The datacollected were analyzed using content analysis. Findings revealedthat the appointment of the INEC Chairman by the Presidentnegatively affects the independence of INEC in Nigeria, that fundingof INEC negatively affects the independence of INEC in Nigeria andthat counter judgments of the judiciary negatively affects theindependence of INEC in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it wasrecommended among others that appointment of the INEC Chairmanshould be based on seniority in the career service within thecommission which will be subjected to the scrutiny of the NationalAssembly with regard to experience, knowledge, skills, goodcharacter, and non-partisanship, that approval of funds for the INECshould be subjected to the approval of the National Assembly toensure that the commission remains neutral from the whims andcaprices of the President or the party in power.