BREAKING: INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu To Proceed On Leave Due To ‘Betrayals’ – Sources Alleges.
With what has been seen a “last minute betrayal” by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. Insider sources has revealed, allegedly stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed him to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.
According to Sahara Reporters, this move comes in response to what was described as Mahmood’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress government that appointed him.
Reports also revealed that the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day 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 claimed 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.
The 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.
Tinubu is now expected to submit the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days.
Mahmood was appointed to office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, succeeding acting chairperson, Amina Zakari.
Earlier in September, INEC officially recognised former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing to an end to months of internal wrangling over the party’s leadership.
The electoral body also confirmed Dr. Mani Ibrahim as National Treasurer, alongside Akibu Dalhatu and Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, who now serve as National Financial Secretary and National Legal Adviser, respectively with a duly recognised convention.
Trustbase News confirmed that the names of the newly recognised ADC leaders had been uploaded to the Commission’s official website while INEC under Mahmood fails to recognise a legitimately conducted convention by the Labour Party under the Chairmanship of Bar Julius Abure despite Abure’s name currently in INEC official website.
