The lingering controversies surrounding plot to remove the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega may have finally be put to rest as the presidency has reportedly gotten a replacement for the embattled INEC chairman.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega
A reliable source within the presidency who did not want to be named on Tuesday disclosed to YNaija that the presidency is planning on removing the INEC chairman this week.
The information is coming despite assurances from President Goodluck Jonathan during February 11 presidential media chat that he had no intention of removing Jega from office.
The source further revealed that after a long search, the INEC National Commissioner, Amina Bala Zakari, has finally been chosen to replace Prof. Jega.
It was gathered that President Jonathan will force Jega to commence his terminal leave in order to give way for a replacement.
Meanwhile, Prof. Jega is scheduled to meet with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Wednesday, and it is during that meeting that the removal plot will be hatches
“During Wednesday’s meeting, the RECs will pass a no confidence vote on the Chairman, and the FG will then step in and declare that his position is untenable since his own people don’t have confidence in him. Once Prof. Jega is removed, Mr. President will nominate a new chairman who will declare that INEC is not ready to use PVCs. And once PVCs are removed, it will become easier to carry out major rigging,” the source said.
However, another source also revealed that the Presidency was expecting a storm that would accompany Jega’s removal.
“They believe that the APC, the press, the US and EU will make noise, but then everybody will calm down after some time. Many RECs are in the PDP’s pocket, but Professor Jega has refused even to pick up the phone calls of those representing the president. That’s why the decision has been reached to push him out of the way,” the source said.
Recall that speculation on plot to oust Prof. Jega from office have been gathering momentum since the general elections were postponed in February.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan in an interview with Aljazeera, reassured Nigerians and the international community that he has no plan to sack Professor Jega, ahead of Nigeria’s general elections slated for March 28 and April 11.
But, the plot to remove the INEC chairman have generated a lot of criticism and reactions from political parties, concerned Nigerians and groups.
The All Progressives Congress had earlier alleged that the Federal Government, through the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, is plotting to send Mr. Jega on terminal leave before the elections.
However, following reports last week, it was gathered that the federal government have shortlisted four possible candidates to replace the INEC chairman.
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