The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru
Jega, has debunked rumours that he would proceed on terminal leave on
March 1 this year.
INEC Spokesman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, who spoke on a TV programme monitored
in Lagos, on Tuesday, said Jega's appointment was not guided by civil
service rules and so he would serve until his tenure elapses on 30 June
this year
After the postponement of the elections last weekend, there have been
reports that President Goodluck Jonathan's next move is to relieve Jega
of his job and replace him with a pliant person to conduct the
elections..
Idowu also said the ballot papers for Nigeria's presidential election scheduled to hold on 28 March were ready.
He said the ballot papers had been delivered by the printers and that
they were being kept in the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He also disclosed that thousands of ad hoc staff were being trained for
the elections initially billed to take place on 14 and 28 February but
shifted to 28 March and 11 April.
He said the postponement would allow INEC perfect its preparations for
the polls, adding that there can never be 100% preparations for an
election since things continue to change until the last day of the
polls.
But Idowu may not be right after all on reports that Jega may be asked to proceed on terminal leave in March.
A Federal civil service circular, issued by former head of service,
Alhaji Isa Bello Sali entitled, 'Three Months pre-retirement/terminal
leave' made no distinction as to whether one is a career civil servant
or a political appointee.
The circular was addressed and sent to the Chief of Staff to the
President, Chief Justice of the Federation, all Ministers, Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General
of Police, Chairman Federal Civil Service Commission, the Chairman,
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Chairman of
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Others are Heads of
extra-ministerial departments, the Accountant-General of the Federation,
Auditor-General of the Federation, Surveyor-General of the Federation,
Directors-General/chief executives of parastatals and agencies.
Jega's predecessor, Prof Maurice Iwu. Iwu's tenure was due to expire on
June 13, 2010. However, on April 28, 2010, then acting President
Jonathan, ordered Iwu to proceed on terminal leave.
Former IGP Abubakar's tenure was due to end on July 30, 2014 but he
proceeded or was sent on terminal leave on May 12, 2014. Former Chief
Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher voluntarily
proceeded on terminal leave three months before the constitutional or
mathematical end of his tenure.
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