President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he cannot remove the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, because he would need a resolution by a two-thirds majority of the Senate to do so.
Zebra News reports that the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Saturday alleged that President Buhari is hatching plans to suspend the INEC chairman.
The coalition made the allegation in a statement made available to journalists by its spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere.
Ugochinyere claimed the President was planning to name a National Commissioner, Amina Zakari, as the Acting Chairman, citing her experience as the oldest and most experienced National Commissioner.
Ugochinyere said, “The President is planning to use the excuse of inability to hold election today (Saturday) as a reason for the imminent suspension.
“Feigning ignorance of the real reasons behind the shift, the President in his earlier statement today did not have just a word for the shameful and despicable actions of security forces and the Central Bank’s staff who, in obedience to Presidency’s directives, deliberately sabotaged the distribution of sensitive materials in selected states.
“We are aware that his hurried return to Abuja today from his home state, Katsina, is to sack the INEC boss. But this should be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community.
“The sin of the INEC chairman is that he refused to conduct staggered elections that will allow the President and his men to manipulate the process.
“The Presidency had mounted pressure on the Commission to conduct election today in states where there were no issues and postpone only the states with materials distribution issues.
“The INEC chairman insisted on conducting the election at the same time, hence warranting the postponement of the entire election.
“We hereby warn President Buhari that the position of the INEC chairman is independent, hence, he cannot be removed from office via suspension.
“The 1999 Constitution in Section 157(1) states that the chairman and members of the Commission may only be removed by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate that the person be 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
“We are aware that the government itself sabotaged INEC distribution of materials.
“We are warning that any attempt to sack or suspend the INEC chairman will only lead to electoral and constitutional crisis. The nation is still grappling with the illegality and unconstitutionality of the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“If the President has ears, let him hear.”
However, reacting, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Sunday insisted there was no truth in such claims.
The statement read: “Those reports are utterly baseless and false. There is nothing like that.
“Whoever is saying the President is removing INEC chairman is just displaying his illiteracy. Let him go and read the constitution.
“You need a resolution by a two-thirds majority of the Senate for any such action.”
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