Senate confirms 8 more RECs, rejects Niger State nominee
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of eight more Resident Electoral Commissioner nominees for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Their confirmation on Thursday followed the consideration of a report on the nominees, which was presented to the Senate by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Nazif Suleiman, during plenary.
The Senate however rejected the nominee from Niger state, Professor Mustapha Zubairu, noting that there were series of serious petitions against his nomination.
Confirmation of three other nominees, Dr. Mahmuda Isa (Kebbi state), Ambassador (Dr.) Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju (Lagos state) and Ahmad Bello Mahmud was also stood down by the Senate. No reason was given by the Senate for its decision on two of the nominees, except that Akeju has a pending legal case against him.
The eight nominees who scaled through the process include; Dr. (Mrs.) Asmau Sani Maikudi (Katsina state), Dr. Sam Olugbade Olumekun (Ondo), Prof. Riskuwa Shehu (Sokoto), Barr. Kassim Gana Geidam (Yobe), Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa (Kano), Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji (Oyo), Prof. Samuel G.Egwu (Kog) and Barr. Mike A. Igini (Delta).
Congratulating the successful nominees, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, urged them to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible elections in the country. Saraki also advised the RECs to see their appointments as a call to duty and should as such, display utmost degree of discipline and integrity in the execution of responsibilities and in the electoral process.
