INEC staff welcome the appointment of new Chairman

By Ben Agande

Abuja – Staff of the Independent national electoral commission have welcome the appointment of a new Chairman of the commission saying it will refocus the commission to face the challenge of the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa state.

Speaking with Vanguard in Abuja, a cross section of the staff said the appointment of a substantive chairman for the commission would provide the required leadership that it deserves.

MAHMOOD-YAKUBU

President Buhari appointed ‎Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of INEC, Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as member representing North West, Dr. Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbile as Commissioner North Central, Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo, from Borno as Commissioner representing North East, Dr, Mohammed Mustapha Lecky from Edo as Commissioner representing South South and Prince Soyebi Adedeji Solomon from Ogun representing South West.

Reacting to the development, director in the commission who does not want his name in print because he is a civil servants said the appointment was a welcome development.

‘It is a welcome development because the commission needs a substantive head to consolidate on the gains made by the former chairman especially as it prepares for the coming elections in Bayelsa and Kogi state. Since this is the first election to be conducted under President Buhari, there is the need to have a substantive leader in place. It is a very cheery news for us in the commission\’ said.

Another staff of the commission, Nicholas Agbambu said with the appointment of the chairman and other national commissioners President Buhari has demonstrated that he is ready to build on the achievements of the former chairman.
‘The commission is a very important organ of government so it cannot afford to be headed by an acting Chief executive. There is a limit to what somebody bin an acting capacity can do so the appointment of a substantive chairman as well as other national commissioners is a good omen for the commission\’ he added.

For another staff of the commission who works in the research department, the appointment of the chairman and national commissioners will bring credibility to the conduct of the forth coming elections.

‘There would have been a very serious credibility problem if the elections were to be conducted with the acting chairman presiding over it. With the full compliment of the commissioners now, things will be better in the commission as they will ll bring in their wealth of experience to bear on the conduct of the elections\’‎ he said.