Newly appointed Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, formally took over the reins of office at INEC headquarters with a promise to sustain the legacy of immediate past administration especially in the conduct of 2015 general election.

Yakubu made the pledge in Abuja vowing to be courageous and to guided by  the constitution and electoral Acts in the discharge of his duty.

He noted that that contrary to views expressed by many that the INEC job is very difficult , that he did not think that way provided one stick to the extant provisions and laws.

“I am not sure that is really difficult, simply because the constitution is very clear. The roles and responsibilities of INEC are very clearly spelt out and the provisions of the electoral act are also very clear.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that in whatever we do, we are guided by the letter and spirit of the constitution. And these we are going to do with courage.

“Whatever we need to do, we will ensure that this is done courageously and according to the law,’’ he said.

Yakubu said that he is aware of the high  expectations of Nigerians and promises not to fail them

“We will be courageous in what we do, and we will be courageous and just to all that we are supposed to serve,’’ he assured adding that Nigeria and INEC cannot afford to slide below its present standing before the international community.

“We have come a long way. We have hard commendations both locally and internationally, in the conduct of the 2015 general election. As I said at the senate screening our responsibility as a new commission is actually to consolidate and add value.

“Nations don’t make progress by always starting a fresh; nations make progress because there is a building block which we now build more, he stated.