Former Edo State Governor and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that people with close political affiliations — particularly spouses of politicians — are not appointed to sensitive roles within the electoral body.

Speaking during the Senate screening of the new INEC Chairman, Oshiomhole shared his concerns about how personal and political relationships can compromise election credibility. He cited an incident from his time as Edo State Governor, noting that a former political party chairman’s wife once held a key position in INEC’s ICT department.

According to Oshiomhole, such situations blur the lines between electoral neutrality and political influence, creating opportunities for bias and manipulation. He alleged that the woman, married to the PDP chairman at the time, had bragged about her access to information that could help manipulate the accreditation process during elections.

The senator urged the incoming INEC leadership to put in place clear policies to prevent conflicts of interest, stressing that transparency and independence are crucial for public trust in the electoral process.

He said, “If you are a spouse of a politician, you should not be given a sensitive position in INEC. We must avoid turning INEC into a family affair.”

Oshiomhole’s remarks have reignited public debate over political influence within electoral institutions, with many Nigerians supporting the call for stricter regulations to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.