Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has addressed the demand for his removal and prosecution in relation to alleged electoral misconduct. The call was made by Akin Oshuntokun, Director-General of the Labour Party and Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation, citing the report of the European Union and other observers that supposedly implicated INEC in irregularities during the previous general elections. Oshuntokun also accused Yakubu of lacking transparency in managing public funds allocated to the Commission.

In response, Professor Yakubu, through his media aide Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the call for his removal and prosecution as unfounded. He clarified that election observers’ role is to observe and make recommendations, not to indict INEC. Yakubu also emphasized that the Labour Party does not have the jurisdiction to demand his dismissal and prosecution based on the election outcomes in which the party fielded candidates.

Furthermore, Yakubu noted that the same electoral process, which the Labour Party criticized as flawed, resulted in the party securing a state governor, eight senators, 35 members of the House of Representatives, and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly. He advised the opposition party to adhere to the rules and regulations governing political parties’ conduct.

The INEC Chairman stressed that the demands made by the Labour Party are illogical and ridiculous, as election observers are not authorized to indict INEC. He urged the party to respect the ongoing legal processes by refraining from openly advocating matters that are sub judice.

Yakubu concluded by reminding the Labour Party that it is one of the political parties registered and regulated by INEC, and it should limit its activities to those permitted by the rules and regulations governing political parties’ conduct.

Source: Nigerian Tribune