President Tinubu presents Prof. Amupitan, Justice Liman, and Prof. Olurede as nominees for INEC Chairman at Council of State meeting in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a high-level Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he is presenting nominees for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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The hybrid session, which commenced at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, follows the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure as INEC Chair ended earlier this week.

According to a draft agenda obtained by The PUNCH prior to the closed-door session, President Tinubu is putting forward three nominees for the Council’s consideration:

All three are respected legal and academic figures with extensive experience in public service, law, and electoral matters. Their nominations follow background vetting by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

The meeting, held in person and virtually, saw the attendance of several key national leaders and advisers, including:

Also in attendance are state governors (some represented by their deputies) and elder statesmen. Former Heads of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and Gen.

Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) joined the meeting virtually, while former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were yet to connect at the time of this report.

Under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the Council of State plays an advisory role in the appointment of key federal positions, including the INEC Chairman, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, and members of the National Judicial Council.

Once the Council provides its recommendations, President Tinubu is expected to submit his final nominee to the Senate for confirmation.

This marks the second Council of State meeting under Tinubu’s administration, the first being in August 2024, which followed nationwide protests.

Beyond electoral appointments, the President is also expected to brief the Council on critical issues including:

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The appointment of the next INEC Chairman is considered crucial ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders watching closely for signs of continuity, reform, or policy shifts in the commission’s leadership.

Source: Read more at thecable.ng