Politics
Breaking… Buhari appoints Yakubu new INEC boss
In from Timothy Enietan-Matthews (Nation’s capital) . . .
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday appointed Professor Mahmud Yakubu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to take over from the acting chairman, Amina Waziri.
Yakubu’s appointment was announced after the emergency Council of State meeting held today by the president in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was the first time Council of State meeting Buhari will preside over since he was inaugurated on the 29th of May.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoko State who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said the appointment of the new INEC boss was in line with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State.
Also appointed are five new national commissioners for the commission.
The national commissioners are Mrs. Amina Zakari (North-West); 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).
The South-East still have a national commissioner, whose tenure has not expired.
The council is made up of the President, who chairs the council, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; all living former Presidents and Heads of State; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; all living former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors among others as members.
Read also: INEC makes case for Zakari on tenure
The meeting started at about 11.10am with the arrival of Buhari at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Former leaders in attendance were Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.); Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.); Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.); and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan wre however absent.
Also absent at the meeting was the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
State governors, deputy governors and some top aides also attended.
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