The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has denied widespread speculations that he might be nursing an ambition to contest for the presidency in 2023.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said in a statement on Sunday that it is inconceivable and unreasonable for anybody to call on the INEC Chairman to contest the 2023 Presidential election.
The INEC Chairman was reacting to calls which dominated the social media on Saturday insinuating that the INEC Chairman might next to pick the N100 million expression of interest and nomination form of the All Progressives Congress.
The calls gathered momentum when the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria procured the form for the CBN Governor who later rejected it.
Oyekanmi said that the INEC Chairman remains committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible polls.
He stressed that Yakubu is so saddled with massive constitutional responsibilities and tough assignments as Chairman of INEC that he would not contemplate straying into the presidential contest.
He says, “Our attention has been drawn to innuendoes in certain quarters that Nigerians should not be surprised if the INEC Chairman joins the Presidential race or urging him to do so. It is a preposterous proposition. It will not happen.
“The Chairman remains an umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections.
“ His constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election are onerous enough for him to even contemplate straying into extraneous matters at variance with the law, morality and his personal principles.
“The Chairman will continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or illwill against, any political party or candidate.”
