Buhari spurns PDP’s protest, swears in Gumus, others
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has spurned opposition by the Peoples Democratic Party to the nomination of Professor Rhoda Gumus as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
TheCornet reports that the PDP had accused Gumus of being a card-carrying member of the ruling APC.
The PDP had, in a statement, faulted the Senate’s decision to clear Gumus and called action, a “coup”.
But, on Wednesday, President Buhari swore in Gumus along with five other commissioners. The others are Mohammed Haruna (Niger State), Mrs Agbamuche Mbu (Delta), and Okeagu Nnamdi (Abia).
Others are Major General Abubakar Alkali, retd. (Adamawa); and Sam Elumeku (Ogun).
Present at the brief ceremony included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan; and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu urged Nigerians to expect the best from the electoral umpire, since it now has its commissioners complete.
He said: “Well, it’s a good day for the commission, with the swearing-in of the six National Commissioners, we have the full complements of 12 National Commissioners.
“It’s coming three days to by-elections in four states of the Federation and as we plan for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
“As we continue to prepare for the 2023 general elections, we’ll go on firing on all cylinders now that we have the full complement of commissioners and Nigerians should expect the best out of the Commission.”
