JUST IN: Mu’azu Steps Down As INEC Chairman…Hands Over To Yakubu

The acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu, has stepped down from the position on Thursday.

Mu’azu handed over to Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the substantive chairman of the electoral body.

Mu’azu handed over to Yakubu at an official handing over ceremony  that was held at the national headquarters of INEC on Thursday.

Yakubu would be heading the commission for another five-year term.

The Senate had on December 1 confirmed his nomination for another term, after which President Muhammadu Buhari swore him into office.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

After his swearing-in, Yakubu told State House correspondents: “We have clearly demonstrated in recent elections that elections are getting better and they will continue to get better.

“The National Assembly is holding a public hearing on the amendment of the electoral legal framework.

“This is important and this time around, working with the National Assembly, we will 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 preparations for 2023 general elections have proceeded in earnest; 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.’’