APC Senators expose fresh plans to remove Jega before elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate caucus yesterday raised the alarm of a fresh plot by the Presidency to prevent the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega from superintending the general elections, slated for March 28 and April 11.

The polls were rescheduled from February 14 and 28 by INEC.

The senators, led by Minority Leader George Akume, addressed a Press conference where they alleged that the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS), Danladi Kifasi, would direct Jega to proceed on a pre-retirement leave next week.

“We have received information from a very credible source that next week, the Chairman of INEC will be given a letter from the office of the Head of Civil Service directing him to proceed on terminal leave,” he said.

Akume also alleged that the Federal Government was trying to use a circular from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation dated August 11, 2010 to place Jega on compulsory pre-retirement leave.

“Whether the letter emanates from the HOS office or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it does not make sense. Even if we go by the terms of the civil service circular of August 11, 2010, it is not applicable whatsoever to the INEC chairman,” he noted.

Akume said the circular was talking about clarifications on pre-retirement leave, which is only applicable to tenured officers who are career civil servants.

According to him, any one who had spent 30 years in service or had attained 60 years of age is bound to disengage officially from the service, but that is not the case with Jega.

Akume claimed Jega’s offence was saying that he was ready to conduct elections whereas the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -controlled Federal Government was not ready.

He insisted that using the issue of card readers to discredit Jega will not work because the National Assembly appropriated money for that purpose and the sensitive items had been acquired.

“We want a credible election, but a situation where we are being informed that because the postponement of the election attracted no reaction from the people, Jega could be removed doesn’t hold water.

“You cannot start a game which is about to end and suddenly, you want to change the goalpost. You don’t want a referee that is fair to all so as to subvert the whole system for sinister, personal purposes.

“We will continue to say no to impunity. We will continue to say no to any attempt to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming election.

“We, therefore, want to appeal to Nigerians to be steadfast to keep watch so that their labour will not be in vain. If Ghana and other countries can get it right, Nigeria can also get it right. We are opposed to the removal of Jega because it is criminal, illegal, and unconstitutional. They want to remove him through the back door,” he said.

Akume noted that although President Goodluck Jonathan reserved the right to remove Jega, he, however, insisted that he could not unilaterally do so without seeking the permission of the National Assembly through a two-thirds majority.

He said the President does not also have the legal powers to suspend the INEC boss under whatever guise. Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution clearly states that the President can only remove Jega with the vote of two-thirds majority of all senators. Under whatever guise, whether suspension, retirement or voluntary leave, he cannot be removed.

The senators reiterated their opposition to the clearance of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a minister and the deployment of soldiers for elections.

Giving further clarification on the fate of Obanikoro, spokesperson of the APC caucus, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said their position is that Obanikoro is not qualified to hold public office.

He said, “we are going to oppose that and the three senators from Lagos have written to Senate President David Mark, opposing that. Obanikoro is not qualified to hold public office based on his antecedent and a case will be coming up on March 6 in Lagos. When any case is in court, under our rules, the Senate President will use his power to ensure that it is not brought before the Senate.”