'Last-Minute Betrayal': Tinubu Orders INEC Chairman Yakubu to Proceed on Leave, Moves to Nominate Successor
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who was appointed by the former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, succeeded acting chairperson Amina Zakari, to proceed on leave ahead of the completion of his tenure.
OTN News further reports as gathered from a report by Sahara Reporters, that the decision follows what was described as Yakubu’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration that appointed him.
The report alleged that the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had briefed Tinubu after his return from a 12-day working vacation, accusing Yakubu of secretly backing a candidate in the Imo governorship race and attempting to register new political parties close to the end of his tenure, allegedly disrupting Tinubu’s second-term plans.
OTN News observes that following the briefing, Tinubu reportedly instructed Yakubu to step aside from his official duties and embark on terminal leave.
OTN News further observes that the directive has, however, disrupted the commission’s schedule, forcing the abrupt cancellation of Yakubu’s final quarterly meeting with political parties and a planned engagement with civil society groups.
Tinubu is now expected to forward the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days.
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