Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has promised that all necessary amendments to the Electoral Act would be completed before the 2027 elections.

At the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, Yakubu also debunked the insinuation in some quarters that he had been sacked, insisting that he remains the Chief Electoral Officer for the country.

The INEC Chairman spoke while answering questions from newsmen after he joined other guests to witness the inauguration of two National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

According to the electoral umpire, the commission, alongside relevant stakeholders, has reviewed the 2023 general elections, and came up with 142 recommendations, adding that out of the number, eight required electoral amendment.

Yakubu, who said he was at the State House for the inauguration of two National Commissioners from Southeast and Northwest, stated that INEC now has a full complement of commissioners required by law.

His words: “We are here today, basically for the swearing-in of two national commissioners. As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn based on two commissioners per geopolitical zone. So, vacancies existed for the North West and the South East, and the Senate has screened and confirmed the nominees, and Mr. President today performed the swearing in.

“So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are aware also, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (rtd), may his soul rest in peace.

“So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners.” On electoral reforms, the INEC boss said the commission has been interfacing with the National Assembly, adding that two weeks ago, it had a retreat in Lagos with the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral reform, stating: “Thereafter, the National Assembly is going to organise a public hearing, and it’s after the public hearing that a new bill will, at the end of the day, be submitted to the President for assent.”

The two new INEC commissioners sworn in are ⁠ Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf, representing Northwest, Prof. Sunday Nwambam Aja, from Ebonyi State, representing Southeast.