President Buhari names Yakubu new INEC national chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari has officially appointed former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Mahmud Yakubu as the new National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Yakubu replaces Hajia Amina Zakari, who has acted in that capacity since June 30, this year. Her appointment had raised uproar in political circles.

Yakubu’s appointment was approved by the National Council of State which met Wednesday in Abuja.

Sokoto State Governor, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal who announced the development to State House correspondents after the meeting, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Professor Yakubu as new Chairman of INEC was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State.

Governor Tambuwal also announced that the Acting INEC Chairman, Amina Zakari now becomes the INEC Commissioner representing the North-West.

Other appointments at INEC , as approved by the National Council of State meeting  are those of Dr Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine (North Central); Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo (North-East); Dr Mohammed Mustafa Lecky (South-South) and Mr Soyebi Adedeji Solomon (South-West) also as National Commissioners.

Yakubu is a professor of Political History and International Studies.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had Tuesday, June 30, stunned observers, when he reversed the decision of past chairman of the INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, to hand over to one of the National Commissioners, Ambassador Mohammed Ahmad Wali, by officially appointing Mrs. Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the electoral body with immediate effect.