Politics

Who Will Be The Next INEC Chairman, After Yakubu?

Moreover, some schools of thought said that President Tinubu’s political experience is enough to guide him in appointing a competent and unbiased Nigerian to head the commission.

Published

2 months ago

April 11, 2025

OCHEFA

1 Views

“In his first public appearance since the rumours emerged, Yakubu formally informed the ECOWAS Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC because his tenure ends later this year.”

Who Will Be The Next INEC Chairman, after Yakubu? And will he come from the North, South, West or the East region of the country?

Ohibaba.com reports that since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, twelve people have served as the INEC Chairman which first existed as Federal Electoral Commission ( FEDECO) , and now INEC – Independent National Electoral Commission.

List of INEC Chairman 1960 to 2025

1. Eyo Esua (1964–1966),

2. Michael Ani (1976–1979),

3. Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983),

4. Eme Awa (1987–1989),

5. Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993),

6. Okon Uya (1993, June-November)

7. Professor Okon, Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998),

8. Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000),

9. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005)

10., Maurice Iwu (2005–2010),

11.Attahiru Jega (2010–2015),

12. Mahmood Yakubu (2015-present).

According to a report by the Guardian, the outgoing Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday bade farewell to colleagues on the continent amid his call for a stronger regional collaboration among election management bodies in West Africa.

Yakubu, who had earlier been rumoured to have been removed from office by President Bola Tinubu, attended the extraordinary general assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, Gambia.

He had earlier dispelled claims of his removal when, on Tuesday, he presided over the commission’s weekly management meeting in Abuja.

The rumour mill on Wednesday went on overdrive when leaders of the opposition Labour Party (LP) led a delegation to the INEC office but were received by an acting chairman, Sam Olumekun.Yakubu’s absence had raised concerns, but Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, explained that National Commissioner Olumekun was the INEC acting chairman at the moment, as Yakubu had travelled to the Gambia to attend the ECONEC meeting.

In his first public appearance since the rumours emerged, Yakubu formally informed the ECOWAS Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC because his tenure ends later this year.

Yakubu told his fellow electoral commissioners, who previously served as president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, to strengthening democratic institutions in their home countries and across Africa.

Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule in 2017. Sadly, he observed, that was no longer the case.

He regretted that today, four countries in the region are no longer practising democracy. Yakubu, however, was optimistic and expressed the hope that democracy would soon return to the affected nations.As his tenure nears its end, intrigues are playing out among political, regional and other stakeholders on how to prevail over President Tinubu to determine and influence whom and the region where the next INEC boss should come from.

While a section of the north is already agitating that President Tinubu should be fair and transparent enough to look elsewhere apart from the Southwest to pick Yakubu’s replacement

Others said the National Assembly should expedite that aspect of the constitutional amendment that deals with the appointment of INEC Chairman, with the view that the solely prerogative of appointing the commission’s chairman must be taken away from Mr President and becomes a democratic process.

Moreover, some schools of thought said that President Tinubu’s political experience is enough to guide him in appointing a competent and unbiased Nigerian to head the commission.

They said that as much as former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Yakubu through his prerogative power, the incumbent President should not be blackmailed as to whom he wishes to appoint.

Politics

Tinubu Longing for Wike to Join APC

The president noted that with Wike, APC will continue to be in a joyous mood, while the party’s rivals will continue to writhe in pain.

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2025

OhiBaba

7 Views

• Nyesom Wike with President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says that even though the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, is not yet a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is open to receiving him whenever he decides to switch.

Tinubu stated this when he commissioned the Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road One (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Road) and some other roads in Katampe District.

The president noted that with Wike, APC will continue to be in a joyous mood, while the party’s rivals will continue to writhe in pain.

He said, “We have somebody in Nyesom Wike. He is not a member of my party. Not yet.

But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing ‘as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us”.

Politics

Tinubu Forgives Sanwo-Olu: What Happened Between Them?

However, sources said that Sanwo-Olu and other members of the GAC prostrated to the president in apparent remorse and appeasement.

Published

6 days ago

June 9, 2025

OhiBaba

6 Views

President Bola Tinubu declared that his relationship with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, remains cordial, adding that “it’s all over now. All is forgiven.”

Recall there have been reports of a cold war between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu which have been awash in social media recently.

In May, President Tinubu had snubbed Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos.

In a video shared by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, Tinubu was seen entering the venue as dignitaries stood to welcome him.

At the event, President Tinubu shook hands with Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, and others — but bypassed Sanwo-Olu, who was visibly waiting to greet him.

Then the President received the governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa and leadership of Governance Advisory Council, GAC, as they paid Sallah, Eid-el Kabir, homage, at his Ikoyi residence, Lagos.

The meeting was led by GAC chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.Other personalities include: Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Pastor, Cornelius Ojelabi; Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, among others.

Olusi, who welcomed the president to Lagos, said it was obvious he was unhappy with some persons in the state, especially the governor, and, therefore pleaded for mercy.

Tinubu, it was gathered, while responding, said: “It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” affirming that he was not angry with anyone, let alone the governor.

However, sources said that Sanwo-Olu and other members of the GAC prostrated to the president in apparent remorse and appeasement.

A source, privy to the meeting, said: “The meeting didn’t entertain a situation where the President or the governor had to start explaining what happened between them.

“They just pleaded for outright mercy on behalf of the governor, and the president granted it.”

News

President Tinubu ends months of rifts with Governor Sanwo-Olu in Lagos

Published

6 days ago

June 8, 2025

Charles Flames

6 Views

…..End months of political tension between them.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that he has forgiven Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, putting an end to months of political tension between them.

The reconciliation happened on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Tinubu’s Queens Drive residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, where Governor Sanwo-Olu and members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) visited him to seek peace.

During the meeting, Sanwo-Olu prostrated before the president, lying face down in the Yoruba cultural manner of showing deep apology and respect.

The governor’s gesture was his way of asking Tinubu for forgiveness after months of strained relations.

The closed-door discussion was aimed at resolving the fallout between both men, which began after Sanwo-Olu’s political moves earlier in the year.

THE BEGINNING OF THE RIFT:

In January, it was reported that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was removed, but was eventually reinstated.

Tensions between the president and the governor became more visible in public.

At a recent event, Tinubu was seen avoiding direct interaction with Sanwo-Olu, fueling speculation that the governor could face impeachment or removal before his tenure ends in 2027.

Sanwo-Olu’s political journey is closely tied to Tinubu, who supported him to become governor in 2019 after the exit of Akinwunmi Ambode.

This background made the rift even more sensitive, with many in Tinubu’s circle reportedly disappointed with Sanwo-Olu’s actions.

In seeking reconciliation, Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by loyal APC members who also appealed to Tinubu on his behalf.

According to those present, Tinubu listened and assured the group that he had let go of any anger toward Sanwo-Olu and others involved in the disagreement.

Although details of Tinubu’s exact words were not shared, the governor’s public show of remorse was accepted, and the meeting ended with both sides agreeing to move forward.

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