Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has stepped down as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday.
He immediately handed over his duties to an INEC National Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (rtd) at an event held at INEC headquarters, Abuja
Ahmed Muazu will serve as the acting chairman of the commission pending Senate’s confirmation of the re-appointment of Prof. Yakubu.
In his remarks, Professor Yakubu explained that the current INEC was inaugurated in three batches, in which he was sworn-in along with five national commissioners on November 9, 2015.
He noted that six more national commissioners were inaugurated on December 7, 2016, and another one on July 21, 2018.
The outgoing INEC chief described the commission as a constitutional body whose members were 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.
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“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.”
Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission.
“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.
Professor Yakubu thanked the staff of the commission and the Resident Electoral Commissioners for their support during his first term as INEC chairman.
Mu’azu, who is the national commissioner in-charge of Tenders Board, pledged to diligently handle the affairs of the commission pending the confirmation and resumption of Yakubu for his second tenure.
Mu’azu said that the responsibility handed over to him was not new as all the national commissioners had at one time or the other acted in the capacity of INEC chairman, whenever he was out of the country for official assignment
“For the last four years, it has been the tradition of the chairman that whenever he is travelling outside the country, a national commissioner is assigned in his temporary absence.
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“In this way all the national commissioners have at one time or the other acted in the absence of the chairman. We, therefore, see the present arrangement in this light and nothing more.
“I want to assure you all that I will handle the affairs of the commission with all diligence,” Mu’azu 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.
