Amid increasing calls for the removal of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), former Abia State governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has clarified that only President Bola Tinubu and the National Council of State (NCS) have the authority to dismiss the electoral chief. This clarification comes as political tensions rise over dissatisfaction with recent election outcomes in Edo and Ondo States, leading to public outcry over Yakubu's leadership at INEC.
The push for Yakubu’s removal, led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other discontented Nigerians, follows dissatisfaction with recent election outcomes in Edo and Ondo States. These elections have been marred by complaints from various political groups and citizens, with allegations of electoral malpractices and irregularities. Obasanjo, in particular, has been vocal in his criticism, calling for a broader overhaul of INEC and its leadership, citing concerns over the integrity of the election processes under Yakubu's tenure.
Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo, in a speech titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” called for the dismissal of INEC officials nationwide. The speech, which highlighted broader governance issues in Nigeria, included a strong critique of the country’s electoral system and the perceived failure of INEC to conduct free and fair elections. Obasanjo’s remarks on INEC’s leadership have fueled the debate around Yakubu’s position, adding to the growing pressure for his removal.
In response to these developments, Ikpeazu highlighted the legal processes governing the INEC Chairman’s tenure, stressing that the removal of the Chairman is not a decision that can be made arbitrarily. He made this statement during a book launch event in Abuja, where he provided clarity on the matter. Ikpeazu noted that the power to remove the INEC Chairman lies solely with President Tinubu and the National Council of State. “The power to remove the INEC Chairman lies solely with President Tinubu and the National Council of State. It cannot be done arbitrarily,” Ikpeazu stated, emphasizing the constitutional framework surrounding such decisions.
The book, *Contemporary Legal Cooperation: China and Africa – A Comparative Survey of Legal Systems*, authored by journalist John Chucks Azu, was presented at the event, which also featured discussions on the theme, “New Horizons in Rule of Law, Judicial Efficiency, and Dispute Resolution: Lessons from China and Nigeria.” The event provided a platform for various legal experts and stakeholders to discuss issues related to governance, rule of law, and judicial reform in both Nigeria and China. Ikpeazu’s comments on the INEC Chairman’s fate were made in the context of these broader discussions on the importance of legal frameworks and due process in governance.
Ikpeazu, who recently lost his senatorial bid to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has previously criticized INEC for declaring Abaribe the winner. His loss in the election, which he attributed to what he perceived as electoral malpractice, has made him a vocal critic of INEC’s election processes. He expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the elections and has consistently called for reforms within the electoral body to ensure more transparency and fairness in the future.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ikpeazu called on INEC to be more transparent and impartial in the conduct of elections. He emphasized that the electoral body should take steps to restore public confidence in the electoral process. Referring to the Ondo election, which his party lost, he said, “Unfortunately, my party lost, but that election has come and gone. I will advise INEC to be more transparent and impartial in the conduct of elections. When people are not happy with your process, you don’t talk about it but open up the space to let people come and see what you are doing. Sometimes, you meet them upfront.” This statement reflects his call for INEC to be more open and accountable to the public, particularly when faced with allegations of electoral flaws or irregularities.
On the call for the sack of the INEC Chairman, Ikpeazu stated, “It is not my call to make about a new leadership of INEC. That is the call of Mr. President and the Council of State, and I think they will take that decision when the time comes.” His remarks underscore the constitutional reality that such decisions are not within the purview of individual politicians or interest groups but must be made through established legal processes and authority. As the debate over Yakubu’s tenure continues, Ikpeazu’s statement serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in removing the INEC Chairman and the roles that the President and the National Council of State play in that process.
