ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he is expected to present nominees for consideration as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The hybrid session, which began at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, comes 48 hours after Prof. Mahmood Yakubu concluded his decade-long tenure as INEC Chairman, a period that spanned two administrations and oversaw three general elections.
According to a draft agenda before the meeting entered a closed-door session, Tinubu is set to present three nominees for the Council’s consideration:
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Prof. Joash Amupitan,
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Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and
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Prof. Lai Olurede.
The nominees all distinguished legal and academic professionals are being assessed as possible successors to Yakubu.
Earlier reports indicated that at least five candidates had undergone background checks by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies before Thursday’s session.
Among those participating virtually are former Heads of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), while former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan had yet to join at the time of filing this report.
Those physically present include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several state governors, some represented by their deputies.
Established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the Council of State serves as an advisory body to the President on critical national matters, including appointments to key institutions such as the INEC, National Population Commission, and National Judicial Council.
Thursday’s meeting marks the second Council of State session under the Tinubu administration, following the first held in August 2024 amid nationwide protests.
Before forwarding his final recommendations to the Senate for confirmation, President Tinubu is also expected to brief the Council on the nation’s economy, security situation, and other pressing national issues.
