I’m still INEC chairman, electoral reforms coming before 2027 – Yakubu
By Jeffrey Agbo
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that reforms to the Electoral Act will be implemented before the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Yakubu also dismissed rumours of his removal from office, stating clearly that he remains in charge of the commission.
His remarks followed the swearing-in of two new INEC National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu.
Yakubu noted that INEC, in collaboration with stakeholders, has reviewed the 2023 general elections and submitted 142 recommendations. Of these, eight require amendments to the Constitution or the Electoral Act.
He said, “We are here today, basically for the swearing in of two national commissioners. As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn on the basis of two commissioners per geopolitical zone. So vacancies existed for the North West and the South East, and the Senate has screened and confirmed the nominees, and Mister President today performed the swearing in.”
He added, “So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are also aware, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), may his soul rest in peace. So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners.”
Regarding electoral reform, Yakubu disclosed that INEC has held meetings with the National Assembly’s electoral reform committees in Lagos.
Addressing speculation about his position, Yakubu stated: “I don’t think we need to waste time so much on this unnecessary speculation. As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and under the Constitution, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation, and under the Electoral Act, the returning officer for the presidential election.”
The newly sworn-in INEC commissioners are Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (Northwest) and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja (Southeast, Ebonyi State).
Additionally, President Tinubu swore in two new Code of Conduct Bureau commissioners: Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem from Cross River State and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure from Taraba State.
