The growing apprehension in some quarters over the possibility of removing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Atahiru Jega before the rescheduled election dates has been laid to rest, as his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu, today, debunked speculations that his principal would proceed on terminal leave before the conduct of the March 28 presidential election.
Idowu, who made this known on Tuesday when he featured in a TV programme monitored in Lagos, explained that Professor Jega’s appointment was not guided by civil service rules and as such, he would serve until his tenure expires on 30th June this year.
The CPS further disclosed that ballot papers to be used for Nigeria’s presidential election rescheduled to hold on 28 March have been delivered by the printers and are currently being kept in the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN).
He also revealed that thousands of ad hoc personnel were being trained for the general elections initially billed to take place on 14 and 28 February but shifted to 28 March and 11 April.
While admitting that the postponement would allow INEC time to perfect its preparations for the polls, Idowu was quick to point out that there can never be 100 per cent preparations for an election since things continue to change until the very last day.
Following last weekend’s postponement of the elections, the rumour mills have been agog with speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan is scheming to relieve the INEC Chairman of his job and replace him with a pliant helmsman who would make the elections go his way.
Meanwhile, checks countered Idowu’s claim that Jega, in contravention of civil service rules, cannot be asked to proceed on terminal leave in March. DAILY POST recalls that President Jonathan, on April 28, 2010, when he was still acting as president sent former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, on terminal leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure on June 13, 2010.
Similarly, former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar’s tenure was due to end on July 30, 2014, yet he was sent on terminal leave on May 12, 2014. In the case of former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, he voluntarily proceeded on terminal leave three months before the constitutional end of his tenure.
