Senate confirms Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman

Professor Mahmud Yakubu, new INEC chairman

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Also confirmed were five national commissioners. They are Amina Zakari, representing northwest zone; Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, north central; and Baba Shettima Arfo, northeast.

Others are Soyebi Adedeji Solomon, southwest and Mohammed Mustafa Lecky, south-south.

The Council of States, at its meeting last week, gave its nod to their nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Yakubu, a professor of history and international studies, from Bauchi State, will now succeed Attahiru Jega, who concluded his five year tenure on June 30.

He was the executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund also a member of the 2014 National Conference where he headed the finance and administration section at its secretariat.

Before their approval by the senate, the new INEC chairman and the national commissioners had fielded questions from the senators at the Committee of the Whole, as part of the screening.

During the exercise, Mr. Yakubu assured that he would ensure transparent and credible electoral process during his five year tenure.

According to him, never again would elections be won and lost at INEC headquarters or its state offices.