Buhari asks Senate to confirm new INEC commissioners

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed some National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners to replace the outgoing ones, Top Naija reports.

This is contained in Buhari’s letter read by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary on Tuesday.

The nominees are Malam Mohammed Haruna from Niger State as the North Central – National Commissioner.

They also included Mrs May Agbamuche Mbu, Delta State, National Commissioner; and Okeagu Kenneth Nnamdi, Abia State, South East National Commissioner,.

Also appointed were, Maj. Gen. A.B. Alkali (retd.) – Adamawa State, North East, National Commissioner; Prof. Rada H. Gumus, Bayelsa State, South South, National Commissioner; Mr. Sam Olumeku, Ondo State, South West, National Commissioner;and Olaniyi Olaleye Ijalaye, Ondo State, South West (Resident Electoral Commissioner.)

Buhari also nominated commissioners for the National Population Commission. The are, Mr. Benedict Opong, Mrs Gloria Izofor, Barr. Mrs Patricia O. Iyayan Kuchi, Dr. Bala Haliru, and
Dr Iyatayo Oyetunbi.

Meanwhile, Ajibola Basiru, spokesman of the senate has said that the national assembly will take the best decision for Nigerians irrespective of President Muhammadu Buhari’s attitude towards the electoral bill.

On November 19, TheCable reported that the national assembly transmitted the electoral act amendment bill to the president for assent.

According to the constitution, the president has 30 days within which he is expected to assent to a bill to become law.

The national assembly also has a provision to override a presidential veto by two-third vote in a case where the president fails to sign the bill into law within the specified 30 days.

In the case of the electoral bill, the deadline for the presidential assent is December 19. Reacting to this development on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Bashiru said the national assembly will not go on the path of war with the president over the electoral bill.

But he said the legislature will ensure what is best for Nigeria as regards the electoral bill irrespective of the executive’s position.