Yakubu is new INEC chairman

Mahmood Yakubu, a professor of political history and international studies, is the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), subject to senate confirmation.

The appointment of the former executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund was endorsed by the council of state at its meeting on Wednesday.

Briefing state house correspondents at the end of the meeting, Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state,‎ said Buhari acted in line with provisions of Sections 154 (1 and 3) and 156 (3) empowering him to appoint a chairman and national commissioners of INEC, in consultation with the council.

He explained that the emergency meeting was convened to approve the nominations.

“The situation in INEC as at today is such that requires for this emergency meeting to approve the nominations by Mr. President, because the law requires that a minimum of four commissioners should form a quorum in INEC,” Tambuwal said.

“This is not the case as today, because the tenures or 11 national commissioners of INEC had expired. Obviously, the new chairman and members of the commission will preside over the forthcoming elections.

“I have said earlier on that we need a quorum for the commission to function and that is why Mr. President in his wisdom summoned this emergency meeting for us to approve these names so I’m sure it is the new chairman that will now supervise and conduct the elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.”

Chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the council’s members includes all living former presidents and heads of state, the senate president, the speaker of the federal house of representatives, all living former chief justices of Nigeria and all state governors.

In attendance at Wednesday’s meeting were Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, and Ernest Shonekan. Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Bukola Saraki were absent.

The council also named five national commissioners as: Amina Zakari (north-west), Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine (north-central), Baba Shettima Arfo (north-east); Mohammed Mustafa Lecky (south-south) and Soyebi Adedeji Solomon (south-west).

The south-east, it was said, still has a sitting national commissioner.

An expert in guerrilla warfare, terrorism and counter-terrorism, the new INEC chairman has also taught war and society in pre-colonial Africa.

He will take over from Zakari, who has been acting since Attahiru Jega completed his tenure in June.

Buhari had appointed Zakari in acting capacity on June 30, following the expiry of the tenure of the then chairman, Attahiru Jega.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the appointment as unacceptable and urged the president to fire her immediately.

Ayo Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, claimed thereafter that Zakari is the president’s in-law, and should never have been appointed to such sensitive post.

The presidency dismissed the opposition to Zakari’s appointment, though, insisting that her appointment was based on merit.