Isaac Samuel
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday chaired the Commission’s regular weekly management meeting and approved the promotion of some junior staff.
This effectively debunked widespread social media claims that he had been directed to proceed on terminal leave by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The meeting, which reviewed preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the conduct of party primaries for the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls, came less than 24 hours after reports alleging a presidential directive for Yakubu to vacate office surfaced online.
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement, disclosed that the Commission had also approved the promotion of 471 deserving junior staff (Grade Levels 03–06) on the recommendation of its Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee (APDC).
“A total of 515 staff were shortlisted for the exercise, out of which 214 met the requirements for promotion to GL07, 134 to GL06, 106 to GL05 and 17 to GL04,” Olumekun said.
“The promotion of junior staff concludes the first phase of the exercise. Next is the promotion of senior staff, which has also commenced in earnest. Staff promotion is a routine exercise. The Commission remains committed to regular merit-based promotion and the welfare of staff. We urge all staff to rededicate themselves to service, particularly with regard to elections and electoral activities,” he added.
The development appeared to contradict claims that Yakubu had been asked to suspend official duties and embark on terminal leave.
The claim had fuelled confusion within political circles and civil society groups on Wednesday.
Yakubu, whose second five-year tenure ends on December 8, 2025, is not bound by the civil service rule that requires certain categories of chief executives to proceed on a three-month terminal leave before their exit from office.
Yakubu was first appointed as INEC chair in 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He was reappointed by President Buhari after his first tenure lapsed and confirmed by the Senate in December, 2020.
No INEC Chairman has served two terms since the establishment of the commission.
His predecessor, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also served until his last day in office in 2015.
The Commission had on Wednesday abruptly postponed its quarterly consultative meeting with political parties and civil society organisations, a development many linked to the alleged presidential directive.
However, INEC sources said the postponement was due to scheduling adjustments and not because the chairman had stepped aside.
Responding to the reports, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, advised Nigerians to consult the 1999 Constitution before drawing conclusions on the matter.
“The first thing you need to do is to find out what the law says about the appointment and removal of the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners,” he said.
According to Section 154(1) of the Constitution, the appointment of the INEC Chairman is made by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate, while Section 157(1) stipulates that removal can only occur following an address supported by two-thirds of the Senate, either for misconduct or inability to discharge the functions of the office.
