Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has reacted to the demand for his removal as Chairman of the Commission and prosecution by relevant authorities over the alleged electoral heist.
Director – General Labour Party and Obi- Datti Campaign Organisation, Akin Oshuntokun, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Oshuntokun said the LP call was a sequel to the report of the European Union and other local and international observers whose report, it claimed, indicted INEC of shoddy preparations and wilful connivance with the ruling party to shortchange the electorate in its conduct of the last general elections.
He equally accused the INEC Chairman of a lack of transparency in the management of public funds appropriated by the National Assembly for the Commission.
Oshuntokun said: “In conclusion, we commend the International Community and Civil Society, for their continued support, in growing and consolidating our democracy.
It is now only logical, bolstered by the final Observer Group reports, that the International Community take immediate and appropriate punitive action against Prof Mahmud Yakubu, Barrister Festus Okoye, and other top administrative and field staff of INEC, directly complicit in the desecration of these elections.
“We also demand unequivocally the immediate dismissal from office and prosecution of Prof Mahmud Yakubu and the commencement of the forensic financial investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and Donors’ funds received by INEC, not least of which is the N300 billion appropriated from the National purse, as well as other funds and materials, received from International Donor Agencies. “
Reacting through his media aide, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the INEC Chairman dismissed the call for his removal and prosecution as misplaced.
On the observations and recommendations of the EU and other observers, Professor Yakubu declared that “it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe and make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the Labour Party’s jurisdiction to demand the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates. “
The INEC Chairman noted that the same electoral process which the LP has adjudged as shoddy has earned it ” one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly. “
Professor Yakubu further cautioned the opposition party to restrict “itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties.”
Yakubu’s response reads in part:” The latest and familiar call by the Labour Party for the dismissal and prosecution of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is misplaced. The reasons adduced by the party for making the demand are not only illogical but also ridiculous.
 “To be sure, election observers, both local and international, are accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations. Under these rules, they are required to submit their respective reports to the Commission. Such reports may or may not include their recommendations.
“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe and make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the Labour Party’s jurisdiction to demand the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.
“Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 General Election, the Labour Party has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members, and 38 State Houses of Assembly members.
“It is surprising and strange that a political party that is in court to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election would still go about openly advocating the issues before the court at press conferences, which it knows is sub judice.
“The Labour Party is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria. The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties.”
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEÂ
and then