Senate Suspends Hearing as INEC Chairman Fails to Appear, Warns Against Disregard for National Assembly

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday suspended a major investigative hearing after the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, failed to appear before its Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The hearing, which was expected to focus on alleged marginalisation and uneven distribution of appointments and infrastructure across Nigeria, was postponed due to what the committee described as “blatant disregard for the authority of the Senate.” INEC’s refusal to send its chairman sparked outrage among members of the Senate Committee, who were expecting full cooperation on issues they termed “critical to national unity and equity.”

The committee, led by Senator Allwell Onyesoh representing Rivers East, expressed strong displeasure at Professor Yakubu’s absence and warned that such behavior from the head of a vital institution like INEC was unacceptable. A statement confirming the development was signed and made public by Peter Oriri, the senator’s Special Adviser on Publicity and Communications.

“All heads of agencies are expected to appear in person,” Senator Onyesoh said during the session. “We will not accept proxies or representatives on matters as crucial as this. The INEC Chairman must respect this institution and the Nigerian people.”

INEC had sent its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, to represent the commission. However, her appearance was immediately rejected by the committee members, who insisted that only Professor Mahmood Yakubu himself could respond to the issues at stake. As a result, the session was adjourned till 2 p.m. on Wednesday, with a clear directive that the INEC chairman must appear in person.

The committee’s investigation is centered on reported irregularities in the distribution of jobs, federal appointments, and project allocations by INEC. Many Nigerians have raised concerns over what they see as bias and marginalisation of certain regions in public sector recruitment and project implementation. The Senate Committee has taken it upon itself to uncover what it called “deep-rooted inequalities” that have continued to weaken national cohesion.

During the same session, the Police Service Commission (PSC) also faced tough questions. The commission was represented by its Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General Hashimu Argungu. In his statement to the Senate, Argungu acknowledged that there were discrepancies in the PSC’s records and requested a three-week grace period to clean up their data and resubmit a full report.

Although the Senate granted the extension, it stressed that the PSC must return with proper documentation and full accountability. Senator Onyesoh directed the commission to submit comprehensive records, including the list of serving officers due for retirement and those who had been promoted through unconventional or fast-tracked means, possibly breaching due process.

Speaking on broader issues, the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Diket Plang, called on the PSC to provide a detailed breakdown of police personnel across all local governments, states, and geopolitical zones. He noted that any imbalance in the structure of the Nigerian Police Force could cause national instability.

“Any lopsidedness in the Nigerian Police will destabilize the nation,” he said. “We must see equity reflected across every rank and region.”

Tuesday’s session reflects the Senate’s growing concern over the operations of key government institutions, especially where issues of federal character, transparency, and justice are involved. The Committee has made it clear that it will not tolerate impunity or half-measures in addressing what many citizens see as systematic marginalisation.

Analysts say this renewed push by the Senate may signal a tougher stance on government agencies accused of favoritism and lack of transparency in employment and service delivery. With rising discontent in various regions over perceived exclusion, the Senate’s actions could go a long way in rebuilding trust and promoting national integration.

Whether the affected agencies will comply fully with the demands of the Senate remains to be seen. But the message is clear: the era of selective accountability may be coming to an end.