The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has elected Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi its new chairman. Ms. Akiyode-Afolabi, the executive director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, will now head the coalition of 400 civil society organisations.
She was elected unopposed at the annual general meeting concluded this weekend, a statement from the TMG said.
Ms. Akiyode-Afolabi succeeded Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the organization’s chairman who stepped down after doing the maximum two-term in office.
Mr. Zikirullahi was first elected in 2012 and was re-elected in August 2014. Other changes announced by the group included the election of 10 new board members for the organisation.
Armsfree Ajanaku, TMG’s spokesperson, said the individuals were pooled from different demographics to reflect the diversity of the country.
The development came two days after a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory quashed a preliminary objection by some members of the organization who earlier this year announced the removal of Mr. Zikirullahi.
Mr. Ajanaku listed the new board of the TMG as follows: Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi of Women Advocates, Research and Documentation Centre, based in Lagos, Chair Okeke Anya, Civil Society Legislative Action Centre based in the FCT, Vice Chair Abdiel Kude, Global Community Prime Initiative, based in Kaduna State, Treasurer Mustapha Mohammed, Democratic Action Group based in Kano, Representative for North West
Musa Adamu Abubakar, Bauchi Human Rights Network, based in Bauchi State, Representative for North East
Salifu Arome, Africa Youth Foundation, based in Kogi State, Representative for North Central
Nengi James, Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group, based in Bayelsa State, Representative for South South
Sulaimon Arigbabu, HEDA Resource Centre based in Lagos, Representative for South West
Okey Onyeka, Representative for the South East
Ekaete Judith Umoh, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD) based in the FCT, Representative of People Living with Disabilities
Tijani Abdulkareem, Socio Economic Research Centre, based in the FCT, Representative for Youth
The new board will be inaugurated on August 22 at the TMG National Secretariat in Abuja, Mr. Ajanaku said.
