By Adedoyin Falolu
Professor Mahmood Yakubu was sworn in for a second term as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and believes elections in the country are getting better.
This happened before the Federal executive council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding,“We have clearly demonstrated in recent elections that elections are getting better and better and elections will continue to get better and better,” he said after the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Council Chambers, State House in Abuja.
Last week Tuesday, the Senate confirmed the appointment Yakubu as chairman of the electoral body, a development the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) described as “privileged”.
“It is a big responsibility. It is history. No Nigerian has been so privileged to serve as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission twice,” the professor of Political History and International Studies, added.
“And it is a responsibility I am going to discharge consistent with the oath of office I took.”
The swearing-in which took place just before the start of the 27th virtual Federal Executive Council meeting where a one minute silence was observed in honour of military officer, late Gen. Domkat Bali who served as a Minister of Defence and member of the Supreme Military Council of 1984–1985.
It would be recalled that on October 27th, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed Yakubu as Chairman of INEC for another five-year term, making him the first person to be handed a second tenure as head of the commission.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.