Concerned citizens under the aegis of Progressive-minded Advocates, hàs expresses dissatisfaction over the call by the Arewa Coalition for sacking of the INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
According to the National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima , said, We have followed with keen interest an ongoing smear campaign and the call for the sack of INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu by a group of rabble-rousers masquerading as campaigners for electoral sanity and accountability in INEC.
Further stressed that, “The Arewa Citizens for Good Governance did not bother to check how much spectacular achievements INEC under Prof. Yakubu before their charade of spurious claims and allegations.
” As a matter of fact, there has never been a comparatively better strategy of Nigetian voter education efforts than the one launched by the leadership of the electoral umpire in recent years.
” The circumstances under which INEC has been effectively planning, coordinating and generally handling its operations is unprecedented, considering the financial difficulties currently facing Nigeria due to rampaging inflation.
“The revolution in election results collections, using the BVA and other electronic transmission devices is the first of its kind in Nigeria’s election history. The electoral umpire has proved its neutrality in elections since 2015, when even the current administration lost out in some elections. No manager of the electoral umpire has ever dared to let work so efficiently that even the party in power could lose in some instances.
“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.
” We urge Nigerians to ignore the rantings of self-seeking, never-see-good groups seeking to distract a dedicated public servant like Prof Yakubu from sustaining the tempo of his wonderful contributions to deepening Nigeria’s democracy.
Further caution distracting the INEC Chairman with unsubstantiated allegations, to enable him discharge his responsibilities with the same neutrality that has been in practice over the years.
“We are confident that the Professor is set to etch his name in gold, in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic history and no misguided attack on his person or the umpire can change that,’ Shettima concluded.