Tinubu Withdraws Two INEC Appointments, Submits Fresh Nominees to Senate

President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the nomination of two resident electoral commissioners (RECs) previously appointed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and submitted a revised list to the Senate for confirmation. During plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a new letter from the president rescinding the nominations of Mohammad Ngoshe, originally named to represent Borno State, and Owede Kosioma Eli, designated for Bayelsa State.

Tinubu had nominated both individuals in a communication to the Senate dated March 12. However, in the updated submission, Umar Mukhtar—currently serving as Borno State REC—has been reappointed for a second term, while Johnson Alalibo Silnikiem has been nominated to represent Bayelsa State.

Other nominations, including Umar Yusuf Garba for Kano, Saad Umar for Bauchi, and Chukwuemeka Ibeziako for Anambra, remain unchanged and are still part of the revised list.

The president stated that the adjustment was due to his decision to approve a second term for Mukhtar, necessitating the withdrawal of the earlier nominee for Borno. Citing Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu asked the Senate to confirm the five nominees without delay, noting that the new letter supersedes the previous one sent on March 12.