Professor Mahmood Yakubu has finally bowed out bowed out as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after spending two terms of five years each, in office.
Prof Yakub handed the INEC chairmanship to May Agbamuche, a National Commissioner of the commission in acting capacity on Tuesday
While handing over to the new Acting Chairman Prof Yakubu appealed to his former colleagues to cooperate with him pending the time a substantive head is appointed.
Appointment of a new INEC Chairman is expected to be one of the main issues to be discussed at the forthcoming Council of State meeting slated for later this week.
Meanwhile, registered political parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have proposed the establishment of an independent body to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its National Commissioners, and Secretary to ensure neutrality and strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
The proposal was made by IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, during a consultative meeting between leaders of political parties and the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review held at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, on Monday.
Dantalle, who was represented by his deputy, Dipo Olayoku, said the current system where the President appoints the INEC Chairman and other key officials compromises the commission’s independence and fuels public distrust.
“To promote the independence of INEC, the power to appoint the Chairman, Secretary and National Commissioners should be removed from the executive.
“Instead, an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) should be established, composed of representatives from all registered political parties, civil society organisations, the National Judicial Council, and ax committee of the National Assembly drawn from both the majority and minority caucuses,” he said.
He said such an arrangement would ensure inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in the proc4*ess of appointing the leadership of the nation’s electoral umpire
