President Goodluck Jonathan has named Attahiru Jega, a former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Mr. Jega's appointment was approved today at the meeting of the Council of State, which largely composed of former heads of state and state governors.

His nomination, which still requires the approval of the Senate, followed the recent sack of the former electoral commission boss, Maurice Iwu.

Mr. Jega, a Professor of Political Science, is the current vice chancellor of Bayero University, and a former consultant to the commission and participated in the electoral reform project headed by Justice Mohammed Uwais.'