Prof. Yakubu takes oath for second term as INEC chairman

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has been sworn in for the term as chairman of the Independent national electoral Commission, INEC, today.

He took the oath of office before President Muhammadu Buhariat the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and some ministers witnessed the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Yakubu told newsmen that he has hit the ground running as preparations for the 2023 general elections have begun in earnest.

He promised to work with the National Assembly to ensure a speedy passage of the amendment to the nation’s Electoral Act in other to confront the challenges ahead.

He said: “We have clearly demonstrated in recent elections that elections are getting better and they will continue to get better.

“The National Assembly is holding a public hearing on the amendment of the electoral legal framework. This is important and this time around, working with the National Assembly, we will ensure a speedy passage of the amendment bill and once it is assented to, it will help us enormously in confronting the challenges ahead.

“Preparations for 2023 general elections have proceeded in earnest. We need certainty and therefore the electoral legal framework is fundamental, without which we cannot formulate our regulations and guidelines.

“Without our regulations and guidelines, we cannot conclude work on the manual for the training of ad-hoc staff for the elections.

“So, from here, I am going to proceed to the National Assembly, so work begins in earnest and we have already started.”