President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This request was conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which Tinubu cited Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution. This section grants the president the authority to appoint electoral commissioners, subject to Senate approval. The nominations, if confirmed, will play a key role in managing elections across different states.
The nominees include Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano State), Saad Umar (Bauchi State), Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Anambra State), Mohammad I. Ngoshe (Borno State), and Dr. Owede Kosioma Eli (Bayelsa State). These individuals are expected to oversee electoral activities in their respective states, ensuring the credibility and smooth conduct of elections. The appointments come at a critical time as Nigeria continues to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of future elections.
In his letter, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of a swift confirmation process by the Senate. He expressed confidence in the nominees’ ability to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. Given the growing concerns about election transparency and fairness, these appointments are expected to address key operational challenges within INEC. The nominees are likely to undergo scrutiny by the Senate to assess their qualifications and suitability for the role.
Alongside the REC nominations, President Tinubu also sought the Senate’s confirmation of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). This appointment, made in line with Section 3(1)(b) of the NCoS Act, 2019, reflects the government’s efforts to enhance prison administration and reform. The president’s nominations signal his administration’s focus on filling key leadership positions in critical institutions.
With these appointments, the Tinubu administration aims to strengthen Nigeria’s governance framework and institutional effectiveness. The confirmation process in the Senate will likely attract public interest, as stakeholders monitor the profiles and competencies of the nominees. If confirmed, the new RECs will play a decisive role in shaping the electoral process in Nigeria, reinforcing public confidence in INEC’s operations.
