Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is expected to step down in either October or November 2025 after completing his maximum two terms, totaling 10 years in office.
His departure and the potential appointment of his successor have garnered significant attention, as many Nigerians are still hoping for a genuinely free, fair, and credible general election.
There is speculation about whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu might choose to replace Yakubu before November.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary (CPS) to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has urged Nigerians to consult the 1999 constitution.
As reported on Thursday, September 25, Oyekanmi gave the advice amid reports that President Bola Tinubu directed his principal to immediately proceed on leave.
A report on Wednesday, September 24, had said Tinubu directed Prof. Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure in October/November.
The report also said the Nigerian leader is set to nominate Yakubu’s successor.
However, reacting, INEC chairman, through his CPS, asked Nigerians to check out the constitution before drawing conclusions. He responded when quizzed on the veracity of the report:
“The first thing you need to do is to find out what the law says about the appointment and removal of the INEC chairman and national commissioners.
“The 1999 constitution clearly outlines the process in Section 154(1), which states: ‘Except in the case of ex-officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the appointment of a person to the office of the chairman or member of any of the bodies so established shall be made by the president and shall be subject to confirmation by the senate."
Oyekanmi added: “It (The Nigerian constitution) also provides safeguards against arbitrary removal in Section 157(1): ‘A person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.”
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