The Coalition of United Political Parties on Saturday alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning to suspend the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu.
Ugochinyere claimed the President was planning to name a National Commissioner, Amina Zakari, as the Acting Chairman, citing her experience as the oldest and most experienced National Commissioner.
The coalition made the allegation in a statement made available to journalists by its spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere.
Ugochinyere said, โThe President is planning to use the excuse of inability to hold election today (Saturday) as a reason for the imminent suspension.
โFeigning ignorance of the real reasons behind the shift, the President in his earlier statement today did not have just a word for the shameful and despicable actions of security forces and the Central Bankโs staff who, in obedience to Presidencyโs directives, deliberately sabotaged the distribution of sensitive materials in selected states.
โWe are aware that his hurried return to Abuja today from his home state, Katsina, is to sack the INEC boss. But this should be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community.
โThe sin of the INEC chairman is that he refused to conduct staggered elections that will allow the President and his men to manipulate the process.
โThe Presidency had mounted pressure on the Commission to conduct election today in states where there were no issues and postpone only the states with materials distribution issues.
โThe INEC chairman insisted on conducting the election at the same time, hence warranting the postponement of the entire election.
โWe hereby warn President Buhari that the position of the INEC chairman is independent, hence, he cannot be removed from office via suspension.
โThe 1999 Constitution in Section 157(1) states that the chairman and members of the Commission may only be removed by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate that the person be removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct
โWe are aware that the government itself sabotaged INEC distribution of materials.
โWe are warning that any attempt to sack or suspend the INEC chairman will only lead to electoral and constitutional crisis. The nation is still grappling with the illegality and unconstitutionality of the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
โIf the President has ears, let him hear.โ
