The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Senate confirmed their nomination during the plenary session today following the report presented by Senator Simon Lalong on behalf of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 14th May 2025. The Committee, chaired by
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Senate confirmed their nomination during the plenary session today following the report presented by Senator Simon Lalong on behalf of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 14th May 2025.
The Committee, chaired by Sharafadeen Alli, a senator representing Oyo South, asked the Senate to confirm the nomination of the five individuals as resident electoral commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission after passing the screening exercise.
In the report, Senator Lalong presented the competence of the nominees and their backgrounds to his fellow lawmakers, informing them about their resumes, work experiences, and career progression as leverage for them to be approved.
He further explained that the nominees were thoroughly scrutinised by the committee, and they answered the questions successfully, adding that they were all qualified for the appointment.
“After carefully scrutinising all the relevant documents of the nominees and due consideration of their levels of exposure, experiences, performances, qualifications and integrity, this committee hereby recommends that the Senate confirm the nominees,” he said.
The approved commissioners are Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano State), Sa’ad Umar Idris (Bauchi State), Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Anambra State), Umar Mukhtar (Borno State) and Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem (Bayelsa State).
The President, in a letter sent to the Senate on March 18th, 2025, said the request for the approval of the nominated RECs was in compliance with Section 154 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The letter reads “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 reads.
“The distinguished senate is invited to note that this letter, which supersedes my earlier one referenced in Pres134/2 dated the 12th day of March, is occasioned by my consideration and approval of the commissioner from Borno State for reappointment for a second term.”
Reacting after the approval of the Resident Electoral Commissioners, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, expressed his satisfaction with the president’s nomination, urging the new RECs to enhance the electoral process in the country.
“I believe that, with the calibre of nominees that we have confirmed today, the president has again injected fresh and capable individuals into the INEC.
Akpabio expressed hope that they would strive to improve the Commission’s work and electoral processes, as well as boost its performance.
The approved RECS are expected to spend five years in their positions as stipulated by the law.
Recall that President Tinubu, on Monday, also swore in two newly appointed INEC commissioners.
