…also confirms Auditor General’s appointment

John Alechenu, Abuja

Barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu requested confirmation, the Senate confirmed the nominations of 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission.

They were confirmed after their screening by a committee of the whole Senate following their nomination for appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

Those screened and confirmed are Etekarnba Umoren (Akwa Ibom), Isah Shaka Ehimeakne (Edo), Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ekiti), Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji (Gombe), Shehu Wahab (Kwara), Aminu Kasimi Idris (Nasarawa), and Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq (Niger).

The remaining three nominees from Rivers, Zamfara Lagos, Anugbum Onuoha, Abubakar Fawa Dambo and Bunmi Omoseyindemi respectively did not present themselves for screening.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday sought the approval of the Senate for the confirmation of 10 nominees for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary.

The President, in the letter, wrote, ”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 ten newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“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.”

In a related development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of Mr Shaakaa Chira as the Auditor-General for the Federation.