President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in Mahmood Yakubu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second five-year tenure.
The swearing-in ceremony had preceded the 27th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, which the President is also presiding over.
Before the commencement of the meeting, FEC observed a minute silence for late Domkat Bali, a retired Military General and former Minister of Defence who died recently.
Yakubu will be the first INEC chairman to serve a second term allowed by the Constitution.
Buhari reappointed Yakubu as Chairman of INEC) for another five-year term on October 27th.
Mahmood Yakubu while speaking after taking his oath of office, promised to ensure better elections ahead.
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“We have clearly demonstrated in recent elections that elections are getting better and they will continue to get better.
Yakubu also promised to work with the National Assembly which is currently holding a public hearing on the amendment of the electoral legal framework, to ensure speedy passage of the Bill.
“This is important and this time around, working with the National Assembly, we’ll ensure a speedy passage of the amendment bill and once it is assented to, it will help us enormously in confronting the challenges ahead.
The INEC Chairman noted that preparations for 2023 general elections have proceeded in earnest, adding that” we need certainty and therefore the electoral legal framework is fundamental, without which we cannot formulate our regulations and guidelines.
“Without our regulations and guidelines, we cannot conclude work on the manual for the training of ad-hoc staff for the elections.
“So from here, I am going to proceed to the National Assembly, so work begins in earnest and we have already started.” he said
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno are physically present at the ongoing FEC meeting.
Eleven ministers are physically attending the meeting. They include Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, and Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello.
Others are Ministers of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah and Abubakar Aliyu.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and other ministers are participating in the weekly council meeting from their various offices in Abuja.
