Buhari charges new INEC officers to give Nigerians credible elections

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday charged the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to make the conduct of free, fair and credible elections their priority, warning that they cannot afford to fail Nigerians in future elections.

The President, who spoke shortly after administering the oaths of office on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and five national commissioners of the electoral body at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, restated his promise not to interfere in the affairs of the electoral body.

“I pledge to respect the independence of the commission, we will not interfere in its operation,” he promised.

He went on to state that the change promised Nigerians by the governing All Progressives Congress would be an all-encompassing package, stressing that the change would affect electoral process and works ethics among others.

Buhari promised that the change mantra would also be taken to state level so that sanity could be restored in the affairs of States Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs.

While making a case for the prosecution of electoral offenders, he declared that the cancellation of elections alone was not enough and insisted that perpetrators of violence and thuggery during elections should also not be spared.

The National Commissioners included Mrs. Amina Zakari, Mr. Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Prof. Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbine, Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky and Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Yakubu pledged their commitment to the discharge of their responsibility without fear and favour.

While admitting that free and fair elections was at the heart of national development, the INEC boss promised not to fail the nation.

The event was witnessed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, among other top government functionaries.