By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu has officially withdrawn the appointments of two Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The withdrawal was disclosed in a letter read by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.
According to the letter, Tinubu has rescinded the appointments of Mohammad Ngoshe, the REC for Borno State, and Owede Eli, the REC for Bayelsa State.
The President had previously announced the appointments of Ngoshe and Eli in a letter sent to the Senate on March 11.
However, while the current REC for Borno, Umar Mukthar, was reappointed, Johnson Silnikiem has been named as the new REC for Bayelsa.
Additionally, three other commissioners—Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano), Saad Umar (Bauchi), and Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako (Anambra)—who had also been appointed, retained their positions.
The letter, in part, read: “In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following five nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
It continued, “The distinguished Senate is invited to note that this letter, which supersedes my earlier communication dated the 12th of March, is occasioned by my consideration and approval of the commissioner from Borno State for reappointment for a second term.”
While requesting the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, the letter concluded with: “I trust that the distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the nominees promptly. Please accept, distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”