Professor Mahmood Yakubu has handed over as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pending his confirmation by the Senate for a second term.
He passed on the leadership mantle to an INEC National Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (rtd), on Monday at an event held at the headquarters of the electoral umpire in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Ahmed will act in that capacity pending when the Senate confirms the
reappointment of Professor Yakubu as INEC chairman by President
Muhammadu Buhari.
In his remarks, Professor Yakubu informed those present at the event
that the current INEC was inaugurated in three batches, in which he was
sworn-in along with five national commissioners on November 9, 2015.
He noted that six more national commissioners were inaugurated on
December 7, 2016, and another one on July 21, 2018.
The outgoing INEC chief described the commission as a constitutional
body whose members were appointed for five years, and which may be
renewed for a second and final term.
“This means that my tenure and that of the first set of five commissioners ends today,” he said.
Professor Yakubu added, “As you are already aware, the renewal of my
tenure as chairman of the commission has been announced, subject to
confirmation by the Senate. Our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines.
“In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance
with, the constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws. Consequently, it
will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, 9th
November 2020, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to
another oath of office as provided by law.”
The outgoing described INEC boss stated that pending the conclusion of
the statutory process, the remaining national commissioners resolved
that Muazu would oversee the affairs of the electoral body.
“It is therefore my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim. We have
worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing
new to any one of them,” he said.
Professor Yakubu thanked the staff of the commission and the Resident
Electoral Commissioners for their support during his first term as INEC
chairman.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi
Adesina, had earlier announced the INEC chairman’s reappointment in a statement
dated October 27, 2020.
