Buhari Appoints Woman As Replacement for Jega; Meet Her

Prof. Attahiru Jega on Tuesday bowed out of office as the Chairman of INEC. Consequently, the president, Muhammadu Buhari, has appointed Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, as acting chairman of the body.

Mrs. Zakari, the first female to occupy the position albeit in an acting capacity, was until Tuesday, a National Electoral Commissioner at INEC.

A statement issued by the Director Communications in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Haruna Imrana, on behalf of the HoS, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, confirmed the appointment.

Kifasi said Zakari’s appointment was with immediate effect.

She would be in office from June 30, 2015, until the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Jega was appointed the chairman of the commission by President Goodluck Jonathan on June 30, 2010. He conducted two elections in 2011 and 2015.

Speaking briefly at the end of the closed-door handing over ceremony at the commission in Abuja, Jega said the future of the country and commission was bright.

He said he was grateful to God and the country for the opportunity to serve.

Prof. Jega said, “We feel great; we thank God Almighty for the opportunity to serve the country. The future is bright for the commission and the country. In whatever we have achieved, we should keep it up and do more.”