MAHMOOD-YAKUBU
By JOHN ONAH, Abuja
Professor Mahmood Yakubu today formally takes over as the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second tenure of five years.
Speaking at the event, Mahmood said the quick passage of the electoral Act amendment by first quarter of year 2021 is the priority of the commission.
He therefore called on the National Assembly to expedite Acton on the passage of the Bill into law in order to add value to electoral process in the country.
He added that the commission will continue with the voter registration which according to him will last till six months to the general election of 2023.
Speaking earlier, the National Commissioner in charge of Logistics who hold fort as Acting Chairman for the last one month and one day, AVM Amed Muazu (Rtd), briefed the Chairman on the successful conduct of by elections across the country.
He thanked the chairman for given him the opportunity to serve and confessed that the last one month was one of his longest month in his career.
It would be recalled that on 27 october, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the re-appointment name of Professor Mahmood Yakubu to the Senate reappointing him as the chairman of the electoral commission, INEC.
The reappointment was, however, subject to a Senate confirmation.
Yakubu was first appointed INEC chairman in November 2015. He succeeded Attahiru Jega, who supervised the 2015 general election.
Mr Yakubu’s re-appointment was announced by Mr Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in a statement.
According to Mr Adesina, in a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), “I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman,Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.
While waiting for confirmation by the Senate, Yakubu on November 9, handed over to the National Commissioner in charge of Logistics, (INEC),Avm Ahmad Muazu (rtd). The development followed the expiration of the first tenure of five years of Prof Mahmood Yakubu who was recently nominated by President Muhammad Buhari to the Senate for confirmation for second term of office.
The Senate on Tuesday December 1, confirmed the appointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the second term of five years.
The confirmation followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC, led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, which submitted its report at plenary and recommended Yakubu for confirmation.
The senators, who spoke before his confirmation, described him as highly qualified for the job.