By Mercy Peter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated a new National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Abdulrazak Yusuf Tukur, representing the North West.
Tinubu equally nominated Saseyi Feyijimi Ibiyemi, as a new Resident Electoral Commissioners, representing Ondo.
This was contained in a statement on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tukur, 59, brings extensive experience to the role, having worked with INEC since 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bayero University, a postgraduate diploma in Economics from Bradford University, England, and a Master of Arts from Leeds University, England.
Tukur’s impressive career trajectory saw him rise from Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to Director of Electoral Operations and Logistics, a position he held until December 2023
Ibiyemi, 58, a lawyer from Ilaje in Ondo State, is serving as the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Lagos State. To replace the late ‘Niyi Ijalaye, who passed away in August while serving as REC in Ogun State.
Ibiyemi boasts an impressive educational background, having graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987 and being called to the bar in 1988.
She also holds a Master’s degree in Election Management from Bingham University in Nasarawa State.
Both nominees will face Senate clearance, as required by Section 154 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
The nominations are subject to approval by the Senate, after which Ibiyemi and Tukur will assume their respective roles in the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“President Tinubu has nominated a lawyer, Saseyi Feyijimi Ibiyemi, as a resident electoral commissioner representing Ondo State.
“If cleared by the Senate, Ibiyemi will replace another lawyer, ‘Niyi Ijalaye, who died in August while serving as the resident electoral commissioner in Ogun State.
“Ibiyemi, 58, who hails from Ilaje in Ondo State, is currently the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Lagos State.
“ She graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987 and was called to the bar in 1988.
“She also went to Bingham University in Nasarawa state and bagged a Masters in Election Management.
“President Tinubu has also nominated Abdulrazak Yusuf Tukur as a National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing the North West.
“Tukur, 59, has a Bachelor of Arts from Bayero University, a postgraduate diploma in Economics from Bradford University, England and a Master of Arts from Leeds University, also in England.
“He began working for INEC in 1999 as assistant chief administrative officer and rose to become the director of Electoral Operations and Logistics. He served in the latter post till December 2023.
“Tukur will also face the Senate for clearance,” the statement reads.
