The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under severe criticism following its appointment of President Muhmmadu Buhari’s niece, Mrs Amina Zakari, as head of the 2019 presidential election collation committee.
Zakari had previously been accused of meddling in last year’s governorship election in Osun state when she served as INEC Director in charge of operations department.
Following protest against her alleged interference in the Osun election, Zakari was removed as Director of Operations and redeployed as the National Commissioner in charge of Health and Welfare of the electoral body.
Her new appointment has however drawn reactions from Nigerians who took to Twitter to expressed dissatisfaction with the news.
Below are some of the reactions:
Instead of INEC appointing, Amina Zakari, a blood relation (niece) of President Buhari, as the Chairperson of INEC Advisory Committee and Presidential election Collation Center Committee, why not just appoint one of the President's children as INEC Chairman?
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 3, 2019
The same @inecnigeria that is promising free and fair election turning around to appoint a know blood relation of President Buhari, a candidate in the election as head of its Collation Committee? Why are these people so brazen in their plot to impose themselves on Nigerians?
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 3, 2019
Buhari’s sister in INEC, Amina Zakari, who was removed as Director of Operations and moved to Health & Welfare, has now been made Director, National Collation, after she cried to Buhari. What this means is that Mrs Zakari is responsible for announcing Presidential election result
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) January 3, 2019
INEC has appointed Buhari's sister Amina Zakari as the head of the newly constituted national collation committee. I'm sure INEC is set to conduct a free & fair election
— Remi (@Ceorhemz) January 3, 2019
The appointment of Amina Zakari just confirms @MBuhari is either extremely insensitive, desperate, wicked or all …either ways, these guys don’t really give a damn about anybody
— Tflow (@FumezSongz) January 3, 2019
What is PDP doing about Amina Zakari as the head of coalition center. PDP Ji masun!
— Hon. Olurops ?? (@Olurops) January 3, 2019
If @inecnigeria have the mind to appoint Amina Zakari @MBuhari niece as the result collection officer, if it is good, it is then pertinent for @bukolasaraki to override Buhari on the electoral bill he has refused to sign into law. We must save Nigeria else our children will cry.
— Charles Ingreen (@AkaliCharles3) January 3, 2019
With Amina Zakari why do we need INEC or waste time and money to vote… Buhari and his family can die there in fact wat is the role of INEC…smh
— Makinwa Paulina (@Queen_Sukky) January 3, 2019
@inecnigeria The plan to rigg the 2019 elections in favor of Buhari will be resisted by all means. Appointing Amina Zakari as head of coalition center is a spit on the faces of Nigerians.
— Uddy (@noble_m3) January 3, 2019
You done nonsense! Rubbish! Amina Zakari back again snow? Una the craze for head
— dat_Afikpo boi (@sparoswagg) January 3, 2019
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Buhari's sister Amina Zakari is to announce the 2019 presidential result.The Devil has started dancing REGGAE!
— Sochima Peters (@sochimapeters) January 3, 2019
Buhari’s sister in INEC, Amina Zakari, who was removed as Director of Operations and moved to Health & Welfare, has now been made Director, National Collation, after she cried to Buhari. What this means is that Mrs Zakari is responsible for announcing Presidential election result pic.twitter.com/VqutLWmHTi
— ATIKU 2019 (@PDP_2019) January 3, 2019
Breaking News: Amina Zakari, President @MBuhari’s niece has been appointed by the Chairman of @inecnigeria, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, as Chairman, collation Committee for the 2019 Presidential Election. Recall that the @OfficialPDPNig had earlier alerted of this heinous plots pic.twitter.com/3U6BEES5gR
— PDP Youth Advocates (@PDPYAdvocates) January 3, 2019
2019: Buhari’s blood niece , Amina Zakari to head presidential election collation centre of INEC
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) January 3, 2019
Apart from Amina Zakari's close family ties with Buhari, the new head of INEC collation committee along with el Rufai was part of the Afri-Projects Consult, which carried out contracts for the (PTF) which Buhari headed under Abacha. Keep expecting a Free & Fair election
— Remi (@Ceorhemz) January 3, 2019
INEC appointment of Amina Zakari ( Buhari Niece) as head of presidential collation committee shows how desperate the collusion between INEC and the presidency to rig the 2019 presidential election has degenerated to.
— Engr.Ifeanyi Eze (@engrifeanyieze) January 3, 2019
INEC has appointed Buhari's sister Amina Zakari as the head of the newly constituted national collation committee.
So this lady still come back after she has rigged osun election? She re-write all the results over night… Inconclusive!!! This is crazy… ?
— John Grace ❤ (@JohnGra60799908) January 3, 2019
This so called Amina Zakari has no business remaining in INEC..it obvious she will influence the outcome by rigging
— DEMOCRAT (@real_BlaiseJ) January 3, 2019
You all will talk about Amina Zakari within 24-72 hours and they will bring other issues to distract you. Let's all only complain on twitter and expect change. Northern African citizens can't take all this without protesting till govt succumb.
— OLONITOLA TUNDE VICTOR (@flpNigeria) January 3, 2019
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Mrs Zakari’s appointment, describing it as “another heinous machination by the Buhari Presidency and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subvert the will of the people and rig the February 16 Presidential election.”