INEC Website Lists Festus Okoye As National Commissioner Four Weeks After Statutory Retirement

The immediate past Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Festus Okoye, is still listed on the website of the electoral body as National Commissioner four weeks after his five-year tenure expired, checks by SaharaReporters revealed.

Okoye was sworn in by former President Muhammadu Buhari as National Commissioner representing South-East geopolitical zone on July 25, 2018.

Though his tenure ended on July 24, 2023, SaharaReporters gathered that he had only served a term and could be re-appointed for a second term.

However, President Bola Tinubu, whose duty it is to re-appoint him for confirmation by the Senate refused to do so.

The appointment of the chairman of INEC and commissioners entails nomination by the president, ratification by the Council of State and confirmation by the Senate.

The Senate is required under section 154 of the 1999 Constitution to screen those nominated to the positions of INEC National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

The provision reads, “Except in the case of ex-officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the Chairman and members of any of the bodies so established shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

A check on INEC website(https://www.inecnigeria.org/?page_id=930) on Monday showed that Okoye was still listed as one of the National Commissioners.

He also had all his details on the website.

“Festus Okoye Esq. is a Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the University of Jos (1984) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. Between 1993 and 1994 he undertook a Graduate Program in International Human Rights Law at the University of Minnesota as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow (HHF),” the post on the website read.

“He was appointed a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in July 2018 and is currently the Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee. He supervises Anambra, Benue and Enugu State.”

When contacted, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu confirmed Okoye’s retirement.

“Barrister Festus Okoye left the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 24th July 2023, at the expiration of his five-year tenure.

“He was sworn in as National Commissioner by former President Muhammadu Buhari on 25th July 2018.

“All National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners have a five-year tenure, although, they are also entitled to a second term of five years, which is not automatic,” he told SaharaReporters.