Senate Committee Screens INEC REC Nominees, Commends Senator Lado’s Proactiveness

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters on Monday, May 6, 2025, conducted the screening of five nominees for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was made known in a press release signed by Mr. Iyogun Asobumeh Sunday, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) in Abuja.

The exercise, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, was in accordance with Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which mandates legislative confirmation for such appointments.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Ali, commended the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Basheer Lado Mohammed, CON, for what he described as “proactiveness and dedication to duty,” particularly in ensuring the prompt presentation of the nominees to the committee.

Senator Sharafadeen welcomed committee members and underscored the significance of their task, stating that their role extended beyond legislative functions to being custodians of Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that the credibility of any democratic system rests on the integrity of its elections, which in turn hinges on the competence and impartiality of institutions like INEC.

“INEC is not merely a bureaucratic body,” he noted, “but the heartbeat of Nigeria’s democratic process.”

He charged the nominees to demonstrate a deep understanding of their roles and commit to upholding the principles of transparency, fairness, and justice. According to the Chairman, the screening aimed to scrutinize the qualifications, experience, character, and competence of the nominees to ensure they are capable of discharging their duties with neutrality and professionalism.

He added, “This is an exercise in due diligence on behalf of Nigerians.”

The committee also congratulated the nominees, noting that their selection by the President reflected recognition of their service and expertise. They were invited to brief the committee on their understanding of electoral integrity, their previous experiences in public or private service, and how they intend to prioritize national interest above personal or political affiliations.

In their individual remarks, committee members stressed the importance of integrity and national service, urging the nominees to place Nigeria’s democratic development above all other considerations.

The nominees, in turn, pledged to serve with diligence, impartiality, and dedication if confirmed by the Senate.

The nominees screened for confirmation include:
Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano State), Saad Umar (Bauchi State), Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Anambra State), Umar Mukhtar (Borno State) and Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem (Bayelsa State).

The screening process was attended by members of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, INEC officials, and representatives from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).

The session concluded with a reaffirmation of the Senate’s commitment to ensuring that only competent and trustworthy individuals are entrusted with overseeing Nigeria’s electoral processes.