By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The incumbent chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made history on Tuesday as the first electoral umpire to be confirmed for a second term in office in the Fourth Republic.
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term of five years.
The confirmation followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC, led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, which submitted its report at plenary and recommended Yakubu for confirmation.
The senators, who spoke before his confirmation, described him as highly qualified for the job.
Buhari reappointed Yakubu in October, subject to Senate confirmation.
Yakubu was first appointed INEC chairman in November 2015. He succeeded Attahiru Jega, who supervised the 2015 general election.
He supervised the 2019 general election and off-cycle elections in states such as Kogi, Edo and Ondo.
Yakubu’s re-appointment was announced by Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in a statement.
According to Adesina, in a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), “I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.”