President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was reported that he directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on leave despite that his tenure has not expired.
,From a close source the directive follows what was described as Mahmoud “betrayal” of the ruling Party,All Progressives Congress (APC) administration that appointed him.
It was said that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a working vacation, alleging that Mahmood’s efforts to register new political parties at the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.
The governor also pointed out that that Mahmood was covertly backing a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.
Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Mahmood suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.
Obviously this decision has thrown the commission’s schedule into disarray, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Mahmood’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, as well as a planned session with civil society organisations.
The Presidency is expected to send the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly for screening and subsequent confirmation for appointment within days to come.
