President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm the 10 new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) he nominated for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
News About Nigeria reports that the request was made by the Nigerian leader in a letter that Senate President Godswill Akpabio read aloud during a plenary session on Tuesday.
In the letter, Tinubu claimed that his request for the Senate to ratify the candidates complied with the requirements of the Constitution.
President Tinubu’s letter read: ”Dear Senate President, Confirmation of the appointment of Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“In compliance with the provisions of section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate, the names of the under-listed newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Mr Etekamba Umaren (Akwa Ibom), Mr Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ekiti), Mr Abubakar Ahmed Ma aji (Gombe).
“Mr Shehu Wahab (Kwara), Dr Bunmi Omoseyindem (Lagos), Mr Aminu Kasimi Idris (Nasarawa), Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq (Niger), Dr Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers), Mr Abubakar Dambo (Zamfara).
“While I trust that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept. Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest esteem.”
Following the reading of the letter, the Senate President forwarded the president’s request for screening to the Committee of the Whole.
According to Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to the President on Media and Publicity, the nominees were appointed by the terms of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
