The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the call for the sack of its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu as “illogical” and “ridiculous”.
INEC’s statement is in response to the Labour Party urging the international community to take “punitive action” against Yakubu and other top INEC officials over the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing the issue, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi,stated that it is not within the remit of any election observer to indict the electoral body.
“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe, make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the LP’s jurisdiction to demand the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates,” he noted.
LP and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi are challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election at the Presidential Election Petition Court.
It was gathered that the party also wants an investigation into N300 billion and donor funds received by INEC for the conduct of the 2023 elections.
LP has accused President Bola Tinubu of making subtle moves and using gimmicks to frustrate their efforts in their quest to prove their case in court.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said that it would not be distracted by the President’s actions and assured Nigerians that the LP has seen through APC’s ‘desperate attempts’ to legitimize a stolen mandate.
