The Nigerian Senate erupted in disappointment and condemnation Tuesday after the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs during a high-stakes investigative hearing on federal appointments and regional equity.
The Committee, chaired by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East), immediately suspended the hearing, branding Yakubu’s absence “a blatant disregard for the authority of the Senate” and a serious affront to a national probe aimed at correcting long-standing structural imbalances in public service.
“This is a national matter that affects every Nigerian,” Senator Onyesoh stated firmly. “We will not tolerate proxies or half measures. The INEC Chairman must show up in person to account for his Commission’s actions.”
INEC was represented at the hearing by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, but her appearance was rejected by the Committee, which rescheduled the session to 2 p.m. tomorrow with an ultimatum: the Chairman must attend.
The investigation is focused on allegations of unequal employment practices, skewed infrastructure distribution, and systemic marginalization within INEC—issues the Senate insists must be addressed to uphold the principles of fairness and national cohesion.
Meanwhile, the Committee also met with officials of the Police Service Commission (PSC), led by its Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, mni. During his presentation, Argungu admitted to discrepancies in PSC’s staffing records and requested a three-week extension to compile and submit a complete and accurate report.
While granting the request, Senator Onyesoh issued a directive for the PSC to return with full documentation—including lists of police officers who remain in service past retirement, and cases of accelerated promotions granted without due process.
In a sharp intervention, the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Diket Plang, called for a full breakdown of police personnel deployment across all local government areas, states, and geopolitical zones.
“Security and fairness go hand in hand,” Senator Plang said. “If the Nigerian Police Force is lopsided, it risks destabilizing the country. Equity must be seen and felt in every uniform and every post.”
The day’s proceedings reflect a growing frustration within the National Assembly over persistent disparities and a lack of transparency in federal institutions.
The lawmakers say the time for half-hearted explanations has passed and are demanding full accountability from agencies entrusted with sensitive national responsibilities.
