Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has spoken concerning his sack by the Labour Party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign.
The INEC Chairman described such action as illogical and ridiculous. News About Nigeria reports.
Yakubu’s statement comes after the Labour Party (LP) called for his immediate dismissal and prosecution yesterday.
The party and its presidential campaign council asked the international community to take “punitive action” against Yakubu and other top officials of the electoral body over the conduct of the 2023 elections.
“We also demand unequivocally the immediate dismissal from office and prosecution of Prof Mahmud Yakubu and the commencement of forensic financial investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and donors’ funds received by INEC,” LP demanded.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, while speaking to the press on Thursday, said that there is no basis for the removal of Yakubu.
He said the reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand “are not only illogical but also ridiculous.”
According to him, election observers, both local and international, were accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations.
“Under these rules, they were required to submit their respective reports to the commission. Such reports may or may not include their recommendations.
“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe and make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the LP’s jurisdiction to demand the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.
“Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 General Election, the LP has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members, and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
According to him, it was strange that a political party that was in court challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, could still go about openly discussing the matter at a news conference, knowing fully that such was subjudice.
“The LP is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria.
“The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties,” he said.
