PRESIDENT of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday advised Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to jettison sentiments in the appointment of a new helmsman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and pick a citizen of proven integrity to enable the commission achieve the desired objectives.

Akeredolu, in a statement yesterday, also stressed the imperative of initiating a complete overhaul of INEC, with a view to purging it of corrupt officials.

Besides, the NBA chief demanded the sack of all resident electoral commissioners (RECs) to give the commission a new outlook.

He also advised that on-going recruitment exercise by INEC should be halted pending the appointment of a new helmsman for the electoral body.

Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant in Oyo State chapter of the Action Congress (AC), Adebayo Adewusi, has backed the clamour in some quarters for the appointment of former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, as the next INEC chairman.

Adewusi, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said putting Ribadu at the helm of affairs at INEC would be a soothing balm for many Nigerians who had expressed disappointment in the conduct of elections by the commission under Iwu's charge.

The AC governorship aspirant, who spoke with journalists in Oyo Town, described Iwu's sack as good "riddance to bad rubbish".

However, he stated that the next INEC chief would only meet general expectation if the proposed electoral reforms were executed objectively.

His words: "Electoral reform will go beyond the mere removal of INEC Chairman, Maurice Iwu. The Acting President Goodluck Jonathan should put the necessary institutional framework together in such a manner that there will be checks and balances. There is an urgent need for the appointment of a fearless, incorruptible INEC umpire, who will be a man of character and integrity.

"The Acting President should do more by ensuring that electoral reform is quickly put in place before the next general elections. It is by doing so that he will enjoy the confidence of the Nigerian masses".