INEC Gets New Chair As Jaga Bows Out (UPDATED)

UPDATED…. 07/01/2015 1:49:57 PM

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, as the acting chairman of INEC barely 12hours after the former chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega handed over to INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Wali.

Zakari was appointed in an acting capacity, thereby becoming the first female to head the commission since it’s inception. Until her appointment, she was a National Electoral Commissioner at INEC.

A statement from the Director Communications in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Haruna Imrana, on behalf of the Head Of Service, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, announced the appointment.

Kifasi said Zakari’s appointment was with immediate effect and would subsist from June 30, 2015 until the appointment of a substantive chairman.

 

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The outgoing chairman has handed over to INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Wali, from Sanyima town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as acting chairman of the commission.

Before his appointment as National Commissioner of INEC, Wali was an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Chief Executive Officer, Development Strategies International (DSI).

Ambassador Wali is a member of various committees of INEC and the Chairman of the Tenders Board.
Ambassador Mohammed Wali’s tenure will expire august 11, 2015.

Jega is leaving with six National Commissioners. They are: Col. M.K. Hammanga (Rtd), Adamawa state, (North East); Dr Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, Rivers state, (South South); Prof. Lai Olurode, Osun state, (South West); Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Abia state, (South East); Mrs Thelma Amata Iremiren, Delta state, (South South); and Engr. Dr. Nuru A. Yakubu, OON, Yobe state, (North East). They were inaugurated by former President Goodluck E. Jonathan on 30th June 2010.

Four other National Commissioners will also leave the Commission in July and August this year. They are: Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi, OFR, Kwara state, (North Central), whose tenure will expire on 21st July 2015; Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, Jigawa state, (North West); whose tenure will also expire on 21st July 2015; Dr Chris O. Iyimoga, Nasarawa state, (North Central); whose tenure will expire on11th August 2015; and Amb. (Dr.) Mohammed Ahmad Wali, Sokoto state, (North West) whose tenure will also expire on 11th August 2015.

Prof. Jega was appointed Chairman of INEC in June, 2010, by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, following the exit of former Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, who vacated the post on 28 April, 2010.

At the time of his appointment, Jega was the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, BUK, Kano.

Jega who hails from Kebbi State, came to limelight as President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in the early 90s, when he led the academic union during the period of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. He was head of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, before his appointment as Vice Chancellor of the university. He was thereafter appointed as INEC chairman 4 months before the expiry of his term as Vice Chancellor.

Jega, has received accolades from Nigerians home and abroad as well as the international communities for his dignified contributions to the success of Nigeria’s elections especially the 2015 general election.