Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Monday stepped aside as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The INEC boss handed over the leadership mantle to an INEC National Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (rtd).
Ahmed will be acting in that capacity pending confirmation of the reappointment of Yakubu by the Senate. President Muhammadu Buhari had in October transmitted Yakubu’s name to the upper chamber of Nigeria’s legislative house for confirmation as the reappointed INEC chairman.
In the handing ovet event held at INEC national headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu informed those present at the event that the current INEC was inaugurated in three batches.
According to him, he was sworn-in along with five national commissioners on November 9, 2015.
Yakubu said that six more national commissioners were inaugurated on December 7, 2016, and another one on July 21, 2018.
He said that each of the commissioners was appointed for five years, and 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,” he said.
Professor Yakubu added, “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.”
According to him, it was the resolution of the remaining national commissioners that Muazu should oversee the affairs of the electoral body.
“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 any one of them,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, announced the INEC chairman’s reappointment in a statement dated October 27, 2020.
