Senate confirms 5 INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners

The Senate on Wednesday approved the nomination of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This followed the consideration and adoption of a report by its Committee on INEC. The confirmed nominees are Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano), Sa’ad Umar Idris (Bauchi), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Anambra), Umar Mukhtar (Borno), and DrJohnson Alalibo […]

The Senate on Wednesday approved the nomination of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This followed the consideration and adoption of a report by its Committee on INEC.

The confirmed nominees are Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano), Sa’ad Umar Idris (Bauchi), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Anambra), Umar Mukhtar (Borno), and DrJohnson Alalibo Sinikiem (Bayelsa).

Each of the RECs is expected to serve a term of five years in office.

Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), who chaired the INEC Committee, said all the five nominees met the constitutional and professional requirements for the role.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded the names of the nominees to the Senate in a letter dated March 18, 2025, seeking legislative confirmation.

“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward, for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following five (5) nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the President’s letter read in part.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over plenary said, “I wish them success as they take on the responsibilities of INEC, and urge them to act fairly and equitably to promote democracy and ensure justice for all.”