The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has expressed
outrage over alleged plot by the presidency to remove the Chairman of
the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, from
office before the expiration of his tenure in June.
Media reports claimed at the weekend that the presidency had
shortlisted four INEC national commissioners one of who would be
selected to take over from Mr. Jega who might be directed to proceed on
pre-retirement leave this week.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday, the
CNPP cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan against sacking the INEC
chairman as that would amount to illegality.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Jega as chairman of INEC is neither a
civil servant nor has been indicted and therefore conditionalities
applicable to civil servants are not applicable to his appointment as
chairman of INEC,” the group said.
It said the removal of the INEC chairman has been explicitly stated
in Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, which says “person holding any
of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from
that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-third
majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to
discharge the functions of the office….”
Reminding Mr. Jonathan that the month of March is a notorious date in
the Roman calendar, the CNPP said “Mr President should beware of Ides
of March, go ahead and allow Jega to conclude the elections, unless he
wants to fan the embers of some doomsayers that had predicted the
disintegration of Nigeria.”
The group also reminded the president of the unintended consequences
of the endless transition programme initiated by former military ruler,
Ibrahim Babangida, during which he mangled and manipulated the
presidential election in 1993.
It said, “Granted that General Babangida survived the annulment of
the June 12 presidential elections, it tainted irretrievably his regime
and cost our dear countrymen blood, sweat and tears, this is avoidable
as it definitely will be more disastrous, and may lead to bloodshed.
“Unfortunately, like in 1993, Jonathan Must Stay Campaigners typical
of the defunct Association of Better Nigeria led by self-serving Senator
Arthur Nzeribe are mutating and intensifying their campaigns for the
elongation of Jonathan’s regime for less than altruistic motives.”
The CNPP recounted that in 2010 when the late President Umaru
Yar’Adua was incapacitated, in coalition with other patriots, civil
society organizations and the Save Nigeria Group, it went to Abuja
streets and other major cities in the country to canvass the
confirmation of Mr. Jonathan, then vice president, as acting president
and eventually full president.
It said, “In gratitude, President Jonathan promised SNG delegation to
implement fully the core ingredients of the Justice Mohammed Uwais
Electoral Reform Committee recommendations, among which is public
recruitment of chairman, National and Resident Electoral Commissioners
of the Independent National Elections (INEC) and burden of proof to rest
with INEC.
“On assumption of office via doctrine of necessity and on the eve of
the 2011 general elections, Mr. President reneged on the promise of
public recruitment of the chairman and officials of the INEC and
appointed Professor Jega as chairman. Jega returned him as president,
with tons of praises by Chief Edwin Clark and co, same clan who are
today calling for Jega’s head. The rest they say is history.”
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