– Awaits Senate Approval
President Bola Tinubu has officially nominated Saseyi Ibiyemi, an Ilaje-born lawyer, as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, perhaps setting up an electoral homecoming of sorts. If the Senate gives the green light, Ibiyemi will fill the shoes of the late Niyi Ijalaye, who previously served as Ogun State REC until his passing in August.
Ms. Ibiyemi, a legal eagle from Obafemi Awolowo University (Class of ‘87), is currently the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Lagos and, by the sound of her CV, quite qualified to keep things running smoothly on election day. She even took things up a notch with a Master’s in Election Management from Bingham University, so you might say she’s bringing “double degree power” to the table.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has also put forth the name of Abdulrazak Tukur as a National Commissioner for INEC, representing the North West. A seasoned player in the electoral game, Tukur joined INEC in 1999 and worked his way up to Director of Electoral Operations and Logistics—a title that practically demands respect. Tukur, now 59, brings a solid academic background too, holding degrees from Bayero University and the University of Leeds in the UK, so we can expect his expertise to bring a touch of global polish to the commission.
With both nominees awaiting Senate confirmation, Nigerians can only hope that these experienced hands will add a little extra “oomph” to the next round of elections.
