A group, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, has warned against any attempt to sack the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, ahead of the 2023 general election.
The group slammed another group, Arewa Coalition, for calling for the sacking of the INEC boss, warning that nothing should happen to Yakubu.
The AYCF’s National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, while addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, said “As a group of progressive-minded advocates, we totally disagree with the so-called Arewa Coalition calling for the sacking of the INEC Chairman.”
According to him, Nigeria should forget about the call by the group, describing them as “attention seekers masquerading as campaigners for electoral sanity and accountability in INEC.”
Shettima added that as a result of the improved innovation brought about by the current INEC boss and his team, any call for his sack, was unacceptable.
He urged Nigerians to ignore any group plotting the removal of the INEC chairman and allow him to work as the 2023 general election approaches.
Shettima said, “We have followed with keen interest an ongoing smear campaign and the call for the sacking of INEC National Chairman by a group acting as campaigners for electoral sanity and accountability in INEC. In fact, they’re attention-seekers.
“As a group of progressive-minded advocates, we totally disagree with the Arewa Coalition calling for the sack of the INEC National Chairman. Our reasons are as follows:
“The Arewa Citizens for Good Governance did not bother to check the spectacular achievements that INEC had made under Prof. Yakubu, before their allegations.
“The revolution in election results collections, using the BVAS and other electronic transmission devices is the first of its kind in Nigeria’s election history. The electoral umpire has proven its neutrality in elections since 2015, even when the current administration lost out in some elections.
“Professor Yakubu has built a name of transparency and accountability in the conduct of elections and efficiency in the choice of his team for all categories of elections over the years and we dare say he would sustain the tempo.”
