Tinubu seeks Senate approval for INEC RECs, NCS boss

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a new Controller-General for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The request, contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and submitted on Tuesday, aligns with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the president to appoint electoral commissioners, subject to Senate approval.

The nominees for INEC REC positions include:

Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano)

Saad Umar (Bauchi)

Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Anambra)

Mohammad I. Ngoshe (Borno)

Dr. Owede Kosioma Eli (Bayelsa)

In another development, Tinubu also nominated Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), citing Section 3(1)(b) of the NCoS Act, 2019, which governs leadership appointments in the agency.

The president urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, emphasizing the critical roles of INEC and the Correctional Service in ensuring democratic governance and security.

Following the submission, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Interior, which is expected to review and report back within a week.