Yakubu not interested in joining presidential race – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will not run for president, describing the call for him to do so as “ridiculous”.

Noting that such would never happen, INEC said its chairman remains an independent umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections.

Following the decision of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, Nigerians including Former Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye have expressed concerns about the number of aspirants that have expressed interest to buy the N100 million nomination form of the All Progressive Congress (APC)

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, had also said it would not be a shock should the Chairman of INEC buys the N100 million presidential form.

The Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said on Sunday, that Yakubu was not interested in partisan politics.

“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,” Oyekanmi said.

“The Chairman will continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or ill-will against, any political party or candidate,” he added.