By Abdulkareem Haruna


Maiduguri NIGERIA – The North East Civil Society Network (NECSN) submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Nigerian Senate Committee on Constitutional Review on Friday, advocating for significant amendments aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency and electoral integrity across the nation.

The coalition of civil society organizations, focused on promoting good governance and development in North East Nigeria, highlighted two key areas for reform: the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and electoral processes.

NECSN proposes transforming the RMAFC into an autonomous body with explicit enforcement powers to recover unremitted revenue, block leakages, and sanction defaulters. The suggested amendments include giving the RMAFC authority to summon revenue-generating agencies, conduct audits, and mandate unfettered access to data. The group also called for independent oversight of crude oil monitoring using technology, and real-time data integration with key revenue agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Customs Service.

Additionally, the NECSN’s submission recommends a clear timeline for reviewing the revenue allocation formula, a statutory deadline for the President to transmit RMAFC recommendations to the National Assembly, and an automatic effect of the commission’s recommendations if not acted upon within a stipulated timeframe. The group also seeks to empower the RMAFC with quasi-judicial powers to issue sanctions and collect penalties.
In the realm of electoral reform, NECSN urged the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), proposing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assume sole responsibility for conducting local government elections. This move, according to the NECSN, would ensure consistency, enhance credibility, and reduce disputes in election outcomes. The group cited concerns about state governors’ influence over SIECs compromising election integrity.
Shuaibu Dauda, Coordinator for the NECSN, stated in the memorandum that these proposals aim to “promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s fiscal operations and electoral processes.” The submission was made to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review on July 4th and 5th, 2025.