Despite the current opposition to her candidature especially from the Peoples Democratic Party, President Muhammadu
Buhari may soon confirm the appointment of the
acting chairman of the Independent National
Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari, The
PUNCH has learnt.
Our correspondent learnt on Wednesday that Buhari
may soon name Zakari the substantive chairman of
the electoral body therefore foreclosing speculations
that he may appoint somebody from outside the
commission as Prof. Attahiru Jega’s successor.
A source close to the arrangement told The PUNCH
that the President had decided to confirm Zakari’s
appointment instead of shopping for another
chairman for INEC.
The source, who pleaded anonymity because she is
neither the spokesperson for INEC nor that of the
Federal Government, said Zakari’s appointment
would be confirmed early enough to enable her to
oversee preparations for the governorship elections
holding in Kogi and Bayelsa states this year.
The source added that once the appointment of a
substantive chairman was sorted out, the
government would thereafter go ahead to fill the
vacant positions of national commissioners.
“It is almost certain that the President will soon
confirm Mrs. Zakari’s appointment. She may be
named the substantive chairman of INEC soon. The
President does not seem to be interested in shopping
for a chairman from outside the commission,” she
said.
Buhari had on June 30 appointed Zakari as the acting
chairman of the electoral body following Jega’s
retirement.
Until her appointment, Zakari was a National
Commissioner at INEC.
A statement by Haruna Imrana, Director of
Communications for the Head of Civil Service of the
Federation, said she would be in charge until the
appointment of a substantive chairman.
Jega had earlier handed over to Ambassador Ahmed
Wali, one of the commissioners at INEC.
Zakari’s appointment attracted criticisms with the
opposition PDP claiming that she is the President’s
in-law, an allegation she had denied
Some stakeholders have also been describing
Zakari’s appointment as the acting INEC boss as
unconstitutional, hinging their position on the fact
that her appointment as national commissioner had
expired on July 22.
They argued that Zakari was appointed to act as the
chairman by virtue of her appointment as a national
commissioner and now that her appointment has
elapsed, she ceases to be a member of the
commission.
Reacting to that position however, presidential
spokesman, Femi Adesina, had told The PUNCH that
in appointing the acting INEC chairman, the President only exercised his powers as provided for in Sections 154 and 318 of the constitution.
“The appointment is covered by Sections 154 and 318 of the 1999 Constitution. The constitution empowers
the President to appoint the woman in an acting
capacity. It also covers the appointment even if her
tenure has expired,” Adesina had said.
