I Remain INEC Chair, No Room For Speculation – Prof. Yakubu

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has dismissed speculations surrounding his removal from office, declaring that he remains the duly appointed head of the electoral body.

Addressing State House correspondents on Monday after attending the swearing-in of two new national commissioners of INEC by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Prof. Yakubu stated emphatically: “I don’t think we need to waste time on this unnecessary speculation.

“As far as the law is concerned and as much as I am aware, I remain the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation under the Constitution, and under the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer for the presidential election.”

Yakubu explained that the two new national commissioners were appointed to fill existing vacancies from the North-West and South-East geopolitical zones.

He recalled that the Senate had screened and confirmed the nominees before Monday’s swearing-in by the President.

“With today’s swearing-in, we now have almost the full complement of the Commission,” he said.

“As you are aware, the Commission is made up of a Chairman and 12 National Commissioners, drawn on the basis of two per geopolitical zone. About two weeks ago, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Alkali (retd). So now, we have almost a full complement again.”

On electoral reforms, the INEC boss revealed that the Commission has been engaging closely with the National Assembly.

He disclosed that a retreat was recently held in Lagos with both committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters, adding that a public hearing was being planned by lawmakers as a follow-up.

“We reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own and engaged stakeholders. From that process, we came out with 142 recommendations.

“Eight of them require constitutional or electoral amendments, and we have discussed this with members of the National Assembly,” he said.

Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the progress of electoral reform talks, stating: “So far, so good. We are happy with our discussions with them. We are also happy with the speed with which they want to process the necessary amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.”