Front
In a significant move that could shape the future of Nigeria’s electoral process, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Bashiru Olamilekan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The announcement was made today from the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following the conclusion of a rigorous selection process. Professor Olamilekan, a respected academic and constitutional law expert, is expected to bring a wealth of experience, integrity, and reform-minded leadership to the electoral body.
He replaces the outgoing INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure has come to an end after serving two consecutive terms marked by both progress and controversy, particularly surrounding the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
According to sources within the presidency, the appointment is in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. The nomination is, however, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
Professor Olamilekan, who hails from the South-West region, has held several academic and advisory roles over the years, including serving on electoral reform committees and offering legal consultancy to regional election observation missions.
His appointment has already begun to generate reactions across the political landscape, with some stakeholders expressing optimism over his capacity to steer the commission towards greater transpare
