From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday presided over the swearing in of new national commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and board members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The ceremony took place ahead of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The newly sworn-in INEC national commissioners include Abdulrazak Tukur, representing the North West zone, and Professor Sunday Aja, representing the South East.
Additionally, Ikpeme Ndem from Cross River and retired Justice Buba Nyaure from Taraba State were sworn in as board members of the CCB.
Speaking after the event, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu described the appointments as a crucial step toward restoring the commission’s full operational capacity. “We are here today basically for the swearing-in of two national commissioners. With these appointments, we now have almost the full complement of commissioners,” Yakubu said, noting the recent loss of a commissioner, Major General Alkali.
Yakubu stressed that the commission’s ongoing collaboration with the National Assembly on electoral reforms is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. “We are actively working with the National Assembly on electoral reforms that will improve the electoral process and deepen democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
He highlighted a recent retreat with joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, where 142 recommendations from the 2023 general elections review were discussed, including eight key items requiring legislative action.
On rumours about his removal from office, Yakubu firmly dismissed the claims. “I remain the Chairman of INEC in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Any speculation about my removal is unfounded,” he declared, calling such rumours “unnecessary speculation” and reaffirming his constitutional role as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Returning Officer for the Presidential election.
The Presidency had earlier denied reports of Yakubu’s sacking, labeling them as fake news and urging the public to disregard the misinformation.