Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has stated that his choice to bow out of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) was to pave approach for the appointment of a brand new chairman.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) stories that Yakubu had, on Tuesday, stepped down and handed over to a nationwide commissioner, Ms Could Agbamuche-Mbu, as performing Chairman of the fee.
NAN additionally stories that the temporary handover ceremony happened throughout the fee’s common consultative assembly with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) on the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu stated that his bowing out would additionally allow the individual taking up to rapidly settle right down to the duty of conducting elections and electoral actions.
He stated that he knew the enormity of the challenges forward, having been privileged to serve the fee for 10 years, with only some extra weeks remaining for him to serve.
“I’ve taken a call and conveyed the identical as supplied by Part 36, Subsections 1 and a pair of of the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“Within the interim, I’m handing over to probably the most senior nationwide commissioners by date of appointment.
“Following session with different nationwide commissioners, Ms Could Agbamuchembu will serve in performing capability pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the fee.
“I hope that it will afford the appointing authorities satisfactory time to nominate a brand new chairman.
“It’ll additionally allow the brand new chairman to rapidly settle right down to the duty of conducting elections and electoral actions in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complicated surroundings,’’ he stated.
Yakubu expressed appreciation to members of the fee and RECs for the superb working relations they shared.
He famous that since 2015, he had labored with 24 nationwide commissioners and 67 RECs.
He stated that he would perpetually cherish the help of successive secretaries and workers of INEC nationwide.
“Collectively, we innovated and managed the fee’s huge obligations, typically on the verge of breaking down,’’ he recalled.
Yakubu additionally appreciated the help of the Nationwide Meeting, political events, the Nationwide Peace Committee, civil society, the media, the labour unions, safety businesses, Nationwide Youth Service Corps and different stakeholders.
“Above all, I thank Nigerians for his or her feedback in addition to criticisms which inspired quite than discouraged us to persevere,’’ he stated.
He famous that over time, INEC, beneath his watch, achieved loads in responding to challenges and introducing many inventions.
Yakubu added that the fee additionally consolidated the biometric register of voters and changed a lot of INEC’s handbook processes with digital platforms and purposes.
These, in accordance with him, embody the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation brokers by political events, accreditation of nationwide and worldwide observers, and the media for elections, voter accreditation and consequence administration.
He added that with the help of improvement companions, INEC had launched varied applied sciences to enhance various elements of election administration, similar to the straightforward location of election services.
Others had been administration of collation and returning officers, digital coaching of electoral workers, administration of political events’ funds and audits in addition to the general monitoring of elections utilizing our Election Monitoring and Help Centre (EMSC).
Yakubu stated whereas super progress was made beneath him, much more nonetheless wanted to be accomplished.
He said that the fee was already making ready for Anambra governorship election holding in November and the FCT Space Council election in addition to Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2026.
He stated that along with these off-cycle elections, INEC already commenced preparations for among the main actions for the 2027 common elections, whereas awaiting the enactment of a brand new Electoral Act.
“The invoice is presently earlier than the Nationwide Meeting. It’s anticipated that electoral reforms contained within the new act will necessitate additional evaluation of our laws and pointers, in addition to the manuals for elections.
“Past these evaluations, the fee must additional clear up the voters’ register, evaluation the areas of among the polling items, and allotment of voters to them.
“The administration of occasion primaries is one other main space of exercise. Chances are you’ll recall that for the final common election in 2023, the Fee processed the nomination of over 20,000 candidates.
“Moreover, election logistics involving the procurement, manufacturing and transportation of big portions of supplies by street, by air and by sea are monumental undertakings,’’ he stated.
In her temporary response, the performing INEC chairman, Agbamuche-Mbu, recommended Yakubu for setting excessive document throughout his tenure because the fee’s chairman.
“We acknowledge the numerous contributions and achievements made by Yakubu throughout his tenure, specifically his exhausting work and dedication in serving our nation meritoriously.
“We want you God’s steerage in your future endeavours. As you step down, we pray for better success in no matter you got down to do.
“We’re assured that historical past will choose you very properly,’’ she stated.
Agbamuche-Mbu assured Yakubu that the fee would do its finest to take care of and uphold the requirements he had set.
“I pledge to uphold the integrity of the fee and work with utmost professionalism, dedication and in unity with the honourable commissioners, the RECs, the administrators, all of the workers of INEC nationwide,” she stated.
The performing chairman additionally pledged to work with the stakeholders to make sure the success and progress of the fee.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of two books entitled: “Election Administration in Nigeria 2015-2025’’, a compendium of all actions carried out within the final 10 years beneath his watch and“Electoral Expertise 2015-2025’’.
NAN stories that Yakubu, thereafter, signed his official handing over notes and introduced them to Agbamuche-Mbu. (NAN)
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