Jonathan Inaugurates Jega, 6 Others, Pushes For Radical Changes

PHOTO: PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN , VICE PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO, SGF YAYALE AHMED, INEC CHAIRMAN PROFESSOR ATTAHIRU JEGA (STANDING ON JONATHAN'S RIGHT), AND OTHER INEC COMMISSIONERS IN A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH AFTER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY.

ABUJA, June 30, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan today inaugurated the reconstituted Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Attahiru Jega, and six other INEC Commissioners with a charge for "radical and positive changes’’ in the commission’s operations.

At the inauguration which was held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President asked Jega and his team not to let the nation and the world down because of the huge expectations placed on them.

The Commissioners are Nuhu Yakubu (Yobe), Col. M.K. Hammanga (Gombe), Gladys Nwafor (Abia), Lai Olurode, a professor of sociology (Osun), Ishmael Igbani (Rivers), and Thelma Iremiren (Delta).

But Jega who reported at INEC Headquarters alongside the six Commissioners after the inauguration said his priority is the revalidation of voters register as a step towards successful polls next year, promising Nigerians that he would not fail them.

THEWILL gathered from sources as the commission that INEC would release the timetable for the 2011 elections as soon as Jega and his team settle into office.

In another development, the President also swore-in Mr. MacJohn Nwaobiala and Mr. Eneh, as permanent secretaries while Special Advisers who took their oath of office include Mr. Ima Niboro, (Media and publicity); Prof. Bath Nnaji (Power); Mr. Isiah Balat (Special Duties) and Malam Hussen Jalo (Political matters).