Professor Mahmood Yakubu has been sworn in for a second and final five-year term as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The swearing-in took place on Wednesday just before the commencement of weekly virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), in the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Senate on December 1, confirmed Yakubu for re- appointment as Chairman of the electoral body following presentation of the report of its Committee on INEC by the Chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, during plenary.
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It would be recalled that Buhari on November 25, asked the senate to confirm Yakubu for a second term in office, after he re-appointed him on October 27.
Read Also: Breaking: Buhari Re-Appoints INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu For Another Term
Speaking to State House correspondents after taking his oath of office, Yakubu pledged to redouble efforts towards ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
He said;
We have clearly demonstrated in recent elections that elections are getting better and better and elections will continue to get better and better.
It is a big responsibility. It is history. No Nigerian has been so privileged to serve as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission twice. And it is a responsibility I am going to discharge consistent with the oath of office I took.
The INEC chairman stressed;
The National Assembly is holding a public hearing on the amendment of the electoral legal framework.
This is important and this time around, working with the National Assembly, we will ensure a speedy passage of the amendment bill and once it is assented to, it will help us enormously in confronting the challenges ahead.
Yakubu added;
The preparations for 2023 general elections have proceeded in earnest; we need certainty and therefore the electoral legal framework is fundamental, without which we cannot formulate our regulations and guidelines. Without our regulations and guidelines, we cannot conclude work on the manual for the training of ad hoc staff for the elections.
So from here, I am going to proceed to the National Assembly, so work begins in earnest and we have already started.
