Senate Confirms 5 Nominees As INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners

The Senate, on Wednesday, confirmed the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the adoption of a report of its Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters.

The confirmed nominees were Umar Yusuf Garba, Sa’ad Umar Idris, Chukwuemeka Obeziako, Umar Mukhtar, and Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem. Each is expected to serve a five-year term.

The appointments were made in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by President Tinubu. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), who chairs the INEC Committee, said all five nominees met the constitutional and professional requirements for the role.

President Tinubu had forwarded the names of the nominees to the Senate in a letter dated March 18, 2025, seeking legislative confirmation.

“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward, for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following five (5) nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the President wrote.

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The President also clarified that the correspondence superseded an earlier letter referenced PRES134/2 and dated March 12. He noted that the update was necessitated by his decision to reappoint the REC from Borno State for a second term.

The Senate approved the nominations by voice vote following a brief debate. With the confirmation, the newly appointed RECs are set to assume duties ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections and other electoral activities nationwide.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended fellow Senators and the INEC Committee for their swift work.

“Let me thank my colleagues, particularly the Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, for a job well done. I congratulate all the newly confirmed electoral commissioners. I wish them success as they take on the responsibilities of INEC, and urge them to act fairly and equitably to promote democracy and ensure justice for all,” Akpabio said.

He also praised President Tinubu for submitting what he described as a quality list of nominees.

“These are square pegs in square holes. I pray Almighty God grants them the wisdom to do justice—not only to politicians, but also to the Nigerian voter—so that every vote will count and no one will be shortchanged. I congratulate them and wish them well,” Akpabio added.