Renominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has vacated his seat having completed his first term of office.
Five other National Commissioners retiring are Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari, Prof. Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbine, Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Lecky and Prince Adedeji Solomon Soyebi.
Also INEC National Commissioner and Chairman , Estate, Works and Transport Committee representing North West, Engineer Abubakar Nahuche resigned his appointment on personal reasons.
Consequently, Yakubu appointed Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu as the Acting chairman pending the confirmation of Yakubu’s renomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the handover ceremony in Abuja Monday, the outgoing INEC chairman said, “You may recall that the current commission was inaugurated in three batches.
The Chairman and five Commissioners were sworn-in on 9th November 2015, followed by another six Commissioners on 7th December 2016 and one more Commissioner on 21st July 2018.
“The Commission is a constitutional body whose members are appointed for five years 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.
“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.
“Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission.
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 anyone of them.
“I wish to express my appreciation for the support of the Commission members, the Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Directors, members of the technical team, heads of the various security agencies deployed to INEC and all staff of the Commission nationwide. I look forward to working with you again.”
While accepting to serve with due diligence within the time of Yakubu’s absence, Air Vice Marshall Ahmed Muazu thanked the chairman and all other national commissioners for the confidence reposed in him.
He stated that that the outgoing Chairman had always nominated one of the national commissioners to act in his stead whenever he was temporarily away and noted that virtually all National Commissioners had at one time or the other acted as chairman.
Meanwhile, the new INEC Acting chairman, Muazu on Monday swore in a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu from Abuja who was deployed to Ebonyi state.
