…as Acting Chairman Swears in New REC
ABUJA – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has handed over the affairs of the Commission to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu rtd. pending when the Senate will confirm his appointment for a second term.
This was made known during the hand over ceremony in Abuja.
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 been a constitutional body appoints members for five years tenure which may be renewed for a second and final term.
According to Prof. Yakubu, “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”, he said.
He noted that, 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.
The out going Chairman expressed his profound 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.
Yakubu was first appointed by President Buhari in October 2015 and assumed office on November 9, 2015, where he has been overseeing the activities of the commission.
The New acting Chairman Mua’zu was born on 6th September, 1957 in Gombe State. He had his early education in Gombe, Kaduna and Maiduguri between 1964 -1975.
He joined the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as a Potential Pilot in June 1976 and was commissioned Pilot Officer into Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialty in 1979. He rose to the professional rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) in 2007.
He obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree in Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan in 2005. He voluntarily retired from service in 2013.
In line with his statutory duty, the new acting Chairman, swears in Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Ebonyi state.
Prior to his appointment, Dr. Chukwu was a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and hails from Abia state.
