The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has hailed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, as he steps down today at the expiration of his first term while awaiting Senate confirmation of his second term.
IPAC is of the view that Yakubu’s timely and well-organised peaceful temporary transfer of power is a sign that he is a true democrat and he is ready for the job ahead.
As critical stakeholders in the nation’s democracy and the country at large, we urge the Senate to reconvene as soon as possible to consider and confirm Yakubu’s fresh nomination for second term.
This step is important in order to enable the commission’s chairman to quickly settle down for the daunting tasks ahead, starting from the conduct of bye-elections in some constituencies across the country.
His quick confirmation is also necessary so that he can pursue the ongoing electoral reforms to a logical conclusion.
Some interested civil society organisations and political parties will in the days ahead host a thank you dinner in Yakubu’s honour, a statement by IPAC said.
