The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, a retired rear admiral, as national electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing the North-East.

President Bola Tinubu had, on February 17, written to the Senate to confirm Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s nomination.

During plenary on Thursday, Bako Lalong, the senator representing Plateau South and chairman of the Senate committee on electoral matters, presented the committee’s report recommending Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s confirmation.

He noted that the committee’s recommendation follows a thorough review of her credentials.

“We adopted the methodology of asking for her curriculum vitae. We did the screening of the nominee,” Mr Lalong said.

“She presented her papers, after carefully scrutinising all the relevant documents of the nominee and due consideration of her level of exposure, experiences, performances, qualifications, and integrity,” he added.

Members of the Senate accepted the committee’s recommendation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ms Abubakar-Sadiq and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

“I congratulate the confirmed nominee for her elevation, and pray that she will add value of our electoral system, at a time Nigerians are in dire need of credible elections and at a time when the national assembly has made the necessary laws to ensure transparency in elections and that every vote in Nigeria counts.

“I wish you a very peaceful and productive stay in INEC as a national commissioner. I do know that she will bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her services to our nation,” Mr Akpabio said.

He also commended Mr Tinubu’s appointments and nominations of women to serve in various parastatals.

“Whilst at the same time, congratulating the president for continuing to point out women and bring them on board to serve the nation in various capacities,” Mr Akpabio said.