Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday, handed over the affairs of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (Rtd).
Mu’azu is the National Commissioner in charge of electoral logistics committee.
The handing over ceremony took place at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The new acting chairman will serve in an acting capacity pending the confirmation of Yakubu’s re-nomination or otherwise by the Senate.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in October reappointed Prof. Yakubu as INEC chairman for a second and final term. Yakubu was first appointed by President Buhari in October 2015 and assumed office on November 9, 2015, where he has been overseeing the activities of the commission.
Mua’zu was born on 6th September, 1957 in Gombe State. He had his early education in Gombe, Kaduna and Maiduguri between 1964 -1975.
He obtained a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Strategic Studies at University of Ibadan in 2005.
AVM Mu’azu joined the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as a Potential Pilot in June 1976 and was commissioned Pilot Officer into Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialty in 1979. He rose to the professional rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) in 2007. He voluntarily retired from service in 2013.
In a related development, INEC National Commissioner representing North-West, Abubakar Nahuche, has resigned his appointment. INEC’s Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the resignation saying it is “on personal reasons.” He resigned alongside five other National Commissioners who retired at the handover ceremony.
The five retired commissioners are Hajiya Amina Zakari, Prof. Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbine, Alhaji Buba Shettima Arfo,, Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky, and Prince Adedeji Solomon Soyebi.
