INEC Denies Rumors of Chairman’s Sacking
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied rumors that its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been sacked by President Bola Tinubu. A viral WhatsApp message claimed Yakubu was replaced by Professor Bashiru Olamilekan, but INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, called the report false.
Key Points
- Denial of Sacking: Oyekanmi stated, “Please, disregard. It is not true,” when asked about the rumor.
- Expected Exit: Yakubu is set to leave office towards the end of the year, as his second tenure concludes.
- Appointment Process: The process of appointing an INEC chairman involves presidential nomination, screening by the Department of State Services, and confirmation by the Senate.
Reactions and Speculations
Some Nigerians have expressed skepticism about Yakubu’s future, with some speculating that he might be sacked soon. Others have criticized the appointment process, questioning the independence of the commission. However, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
The Appointment Process
The appointment of an INEC chairman involves several steps:
- Presidential Nomination: The President nominates a candidate for the position.
- Screening by DSS: The Department of State Services conducts a thorough background check on the nominee.
- National Council of State Review: The President forwards the nominee’s particulars to the National Council of State for advisory review.
- Senate Confirmation: The President sends the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
For now, Yakubu remains the INEC chairman, and the rumors about his sacking have been dismissed as false. The commission’s denial has brought temporary relief to those following the situation closely. As the end of Yakubu’s tenure approaches, Nigerians will be watching closely to see who will succeed him and how the appointment process unfolds.
