Amina Zakari. the acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has explained why she still heads the electoral body after the expiration of her tenure.
Zakari, whose tenure as National Commissioner expired on Tuesday, July 21, was appointed acting chairperson of INEC by President Muhammadu Buhari following the retirement of Attahiru Jega, who had earlier handed over to Ahmed Wali, on June 30.
Premium Times reports that on Friday, July 24, Zakari said that while her tenure had earlier expired, she was appointed anew by President Buhari in an acting capacity.
She said “My tenure would have expired on July 21st but my letter of appointment as Acting Chairman claimed categorically I should act pending when a new (substantive Chairman of the) Commission is put in place.”
In a reaction to the controversy surrounding her appointment, Zakari stated, “I think we should not distract ourselves from the issues at hand, I have been in the Commission, I am a National Commissioner, I passed through the Senate screening to become a National Commissioner, and by virtue of that I am appointed Acting Chairman in the Commission.
“So there shouldn’t have been much controversy. But be it as may I have a job to do and I am set out to that job.”
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had questioned her appointment, accusing President Buhari of favouritism.
However, the INEC chief has restated the Commission’s commitment to continue deploying technology to Nigerian electoral process with a view to achieving improved performance.
In another development, A group known as Public Interest Lawyers League, has berated the Department of State Services for what they term “the harassment of the the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Akwa Ibom state, Austin Okojie.
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