The stage is now set for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unveil a new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who formally ended his 10-year tenure on Tuesday.
Aso Rock insiders told Vanguard that the President is determined to appoint a successor who will strengthen Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process.
According to a source close to the Presidency, Tinubu’s approach mirrors his earlier declaration that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members should be deployed for the coming census, not just to cut costs, but to ensure credibility.
The source said, “The same way he is looking at the appointment of who will succeed Professor Yakubu. He wants a credible process, and he wants to help ensure that Nigerians’ confidence in INEC is not shaken.”
The President has, however, faced intense pressure from powerful politicians who, as far back as last year, had been submitting names of their preferred candidates.
According to Vanguard, findings revealed that the motives behind the lobbying ranged from attempts to control INEC’s operations to the pursuit of lucrative contracts awarded by the commission, as well as other pecuniary interests.
Among those pushed forward were former national commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), and even outsiders, but the President was said to have maintained a “studied cool-headedness” throughout the lobbying.
With Yakubu’s exit, May Agbamuche-Mbu is currently serving as the acting chairman
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