The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on INEC, presented by its chairman, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), who said the nominees met all constitutional and professional requirements for the role.
The newly confirmed RECs are:
- Umar Yusuf Garba – Kano
- Sa’ad Umar Idris – Bauchi
- Chukwuemeka Ibeziako – Anambra
- Umar Mukhtar – Borno
- Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem – Bayelsa
Each appointee is expected to serve a five-year term.
The nominations were originally submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a letter dated March 18, 2025, in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The President’s letter requested Senate confirmation of the appointments.
“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 letter read in part.
Presiding over the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the appointees and urged them to uphold democratic principles.
“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,” Akpabio stated.
