Senate Confirms Five INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, Debates 1.78 trillion statutory budget proposal for the FCT

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of five Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The nominees, submitted by President Bola Tinubu in March, were confirmed after passing screening by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters. The confirmed RECs are Umar Yusuf Garba from Kano, Sa’ad Umar Idris from Bauchi, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako from Anambra, Umar Mukhtar from Borno, and Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem from Bayelsa.

In a related development, President Tinubu has presented a ₦1.78 trillion statutory budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory to the Senate for the 2025 financial year. He urged lawmakers to give the proposal expedited consideration to ensure efficient service delivery in the FCT.

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The Senate invoked Order 78 to allow the appropriation bill to pass second reading on the same day. However, the move sparked objection from Senator Abdul Ningi, who argued that the lawmakers had not received copies of the bill before debate commenced.

Presenting the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed budget includes ₦150.35 billion for personnel, ₦343.78 billion for overheads, and over ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects, with a focus on completing key infrastructure and improving essential services across Abuja.