The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified why it designated one of its National Commisssioners, Sam Olumekun as the Acting Chairman of the electoral commission.
Rumours were rife on Tuesday that the Commission’s national chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been sacked by President Bola Tinubu, a claim that has been debunked by the presidency.
In a statement on its social media handles on Wednesday, INEC had posted that Olumekun, the acting chairman received a high-level delegation of Labour party, led by Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
“A high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP), led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, today Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to discuss key developments within the party.
During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership. He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the LP’s current structure.
The delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, and other National Commissioners. Both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.
Mr. Olumekun reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities”.
The statement led to further confusion as many Nigerians were asking when Mahmood was replaced with Olumekun, the acting chairman.
But in message to journalists, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman said Olumekun only stood in for Prof. Yakubu who is currently in Gambia to attend the meeting of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).
“Kindly note, dear Colleagues, that National Commissioner Sam Olumekun mni is the Acting Chairman of INEC at the moment. The Hon Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has travelled to the Gambia to attend the ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions) meeting”.
