The Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)on Thursday commenced the screening of Professor Mahmood Yakubu following his re-nomination as Chairman of the Commission for a second and final term by president Muhammadu Buhari.
The INEC committee headed by Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano state flagged of the screening at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the FCT.
The occasion also offered opportunity for Professor Yakubu to explain his role as INEC boss previously and what he hopes to accomplish differently if confirmed by the Senate.
In his speech, the erstwhile INEC boss pleaded with the National Assembly to pass what he called the Amended Electoral Act Bill by the first quarter of 2021 in order to aid the success of the 2023 general elections.
On the deployment of technology for election purposes, Yakubu said under his watch as INEC chairman, the electoral body resorted to technology to in order to deepen the nation’s electoral process as technology is of great advantage in the conduct of successful elections.
Recall that the Senate had on Tuesday received President Buhari’s letter seeking Yakubu’s consideration and confirmation as INEC Chairman in line with stipulated protocols and constitutional provisions.
Recall that Buhari had on October 27 made public his decision to re-appoint the former INEC Boss for a second and final term as defined in the Constitution and the relevant provisions of the Act establishing INEC.
Recall that Prof Mahmood Yakubu was first named INEC boss in 2015. He took over from Prof Attahiru Jega, under whose watch the 2015 general elections was conducted.
President Buhari’s letter to the Upper legislative Chambers was later forwarded to the Gaya-led committee on INEC for screening accordingly.
In his remarks, Senator Gaya had pledged his committee’s readiness to carry out the task of screening the nominee expeditiously.
He said; “Precisely the re-nominated Chairman of the Commission , Professor Mahmood Yakubu is to face our committee by 2:00 pm for the required drilling, the outcome of which will determine the report to be submitted to the Senate on Tuesday.”
