Senate confirms 7 INEC nominees

…also confirms Auditor General’s appointment

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate yesterday confirmed the nominations of 7 Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Tinubu had forwarded 10 nominees to the red chamber for confirmation into the offices of the Resident Electoral Commission.

But, the Senate in the committee of the whole only confirmed 7 out of the 10 who presented themselves for screening.

The nominees who failed to present themselves for screening are those of Rivers, Zamfara Lagos, Anugbum Onuoha, Abubakar Fawa Dambo and Bunmi Omoseyindemi.

The successful nominees are Etekarnba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ekiti), Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji (Gombe), Shehu Wahab (Kwara), Aminu Kasimi Idris (Nasarawa), and Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq (Niger).

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday sought the approval of the Senate for the confirmation of 10 nominees for appointment as REC for the INEC.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary.

The President, in the letter, wrote, ”Dear Senate President, Confirmation of the appointment of Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“In compliance with the provisions 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 names of the under listed ten newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“While I trust that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept. Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest esteem.”

In a related development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of Mr Shaakaa Chira as the Auditor-General for the Federation.