INEC’s Membership Depletes as Yakubu Stands Down

The 13-member Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) management suffered depletion on November 9, when the tenure of its Chairman and five National Commissioners came to an end. In addition, a 6^th National Commissioner, Engr. Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche resigned for personal reasons. This now leaves the Commission with about six National Commissioners. National Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (retired) was nominated by the remaining National Commissioners to act as Chairman. It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had renominated Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for the position of Chairman of the Commission. Other National Commissioners were also nominated with Yakubu: Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah representing Katsina State; Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi representing Ekiti State and controversially, Presidential staff, Lauretta Onochie representing Delta State. These nominations will however, require Senate confirmation. The Senate is currently on budget defence hearings and is not expected to reconvene until Tuesday, November 24. It is expected that Yakubu’s confirmation by the Senate will easily pass.