INEC Bows to Pressure, Moves Zakari from Operations to Healthcare, Welfare

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Thursday succumbed to pressure by re-organising the Chairmanship of five out of its fifteen (15) Standing Committees.

This sudden but long awaited change saw Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari moved from her position as the Commission’s Chairman on Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee to Health and Welfare Committee.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by its National Commissioner, Mallam Muhammed Haruna, where it also revealed that none of the 89 registered political parties had submitted the list of its sponsored candidate.

He said: “INEC held Its usual weekly meeting today, 11th October, 2018 and noted that none of the 89 registered political parties that notified the Commission of their intention to conduct their primaries has submitted the list of its sponsored candidates [Form CFOOZ) and personal particulars (Form 001] to the centre designated by the Commission for the collection of the said documents.”

The electoral body insisted that the deadlines for the submission of Forms CF001 and CFOO2 for the 2019 general elections remain; 18th October for Presidential and National Assembly, while the Governorship and State Assemblies remains 2nd November, 2018.

It added; “Meanwhile, the Chairmanship of five [5) out of its fifteen (15) Standing Committees has been re-organised as follows:

“Barrister Festus Okoye Information and Voter Education Committee; Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Board of the Electoral, Institute; Dr Mohammed Mustafa Lecky Planning. Monitoring and Strategy Committee; Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, Health and Welfare Committee, and Prof. Okechukwu lbeanu Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee.”