Oshiomhole Urges INEC to Bar Politicians’ Spouses from Holding Key Electoral Positions

Story: written by Uzuh Rita Ocotber 20,2025
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 adopt strict measures preventing the spouses of active politicians from occupying sensitive roles within the commission.

Oshiomhole made the appeal during the Senate screening of the incoming INEC boss, stressing that such appointments pose serious risks to the integrity and neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Drawing from personal experience, the former governor recounted a situation in Edo State where a political party chairman’s wife held a senior position in INEC’s ICT department — a scenario he said created a clear conflict of interest.

“In Edo, we once had the wife of a political party chairman serving as the head of INEC’s ICT unit. She even boasted about providing information that could aid in manipulating accreditation processes,” Oshiomhole revealed.

He warned that allowing politically connected individuals or their spouses to handle sensitive electoral duties undermines public trust in INEC and opens the door to potential bias.

The senator urged the new leadership of the electoral body to formulate clear policies that prohibit such conflicts, ensuring transparency and fairness in all electoral operations.

“INEC must not become a family business. We need a firm rule that bars spouses of politicians from holding strategic or decision-making roles within the commission,” Oshiomhole emphasized.