Independent National Electoral Commission Gets A New Acting Chairman

Since assuming office on November 9, 2015, and reelected in October 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, handed over to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (Rtd), a national commissioner of the electoral body from the Northeast. Mu’zau’s appointment is yet to be confirmed by the Senate. 

Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission. It is therefore my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim. We have worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing new to any one of them.

As you are already aware, the renewal of my tenure as Chairman of the Commission has been announced, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines. In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance with, the Constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws. Consequently, it will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, 9th November 2020, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to another oath of office as provided by law.

About Mu’azu 

Ahmed Mu’azu was born on 6th September 1957 in Gombe State. He joined the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as an intending Pilot in June 1976 and was commissioned Pilot Officer into Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialty in 1979. He rose to the professional rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) in 2007.

He obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree in Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan in 2005. He voluntarily retired from service in 2013.