Oshiomhole Urges INEC Chair to Bar Politicians’ Spouses from Holding Sensitive Positions

Former Edo State Governor and current Senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent individuals with political affiliations—particularly spouses of politicians—from being appointed to sensitive positions within the commission.

Speaking during the Senate screening of the new INEC Chairman, Oshiomhole drew on his personal experience in Edo State to highlight how conflicts of interest can compromise electoral integrity.

He recalled, “One last point, an experience we had in Edo State… 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 warned that such appointments blur the line between partisan politics and the electoral body, increasing the risk of manipulation.

“The husband, being the PDP chairman at the time, had his wife boasting that she could supply information that would help them deal with accreditation issues,” he alleged.

He called on the incoming INEC leadership to institute firm policies barring spouses of politicians from holding sensitive roles, emphasizing the need to keep the commission free from 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.