A group known as the Nigerian Democratic Alliance on Monday expressed worry over what it described as “personalized attacks” on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmud Yakubu , as well as persistent call for his removal ahead of the general elections by politicians.
The group, in a statement jointly signed by Barrister Ini Effiong and Femi Akindele, Coordinator and Secretary respectively, while reacting to a recent call by the leadership of the Southern and Middle Best Forum, asking for the removal of the INEC boss, said such a call, violates Section I57 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees the independence of INEC.
It said the attacks fell far outside the bounds of fair exchanges, adding that political stakeholders should show “appropriate respect for the role of INEC, its independence, and the channels for appropriate discourse”.
“As a group, we believe that the persistence of campaign for the removal of Professor Yakubu, based on His ethnic background, is dangerous to the polity and public confidence that the entire national leadership of INEC is free from threat.
The group asked President Buhari, to disregard the call by this group, as the 2019 approaches, noting that such move will be resisted by the Nigerian people.
The group call on lovers of democracy, to speak against any attempt by individuals or groups, that may be politically motivated, to derail the INEC, from pursuing it’s objective, of giving Nigeria a free and fair credible election, come 2019.