Presidency reportedly planning to remove INEC chairman this week

President Goodluck Jonathan will force Jega to embark on terminal leave to pave way for a replacement, according to Sahara Reporters.

According to reports, the Presidency is planning to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega this week.

President Goodluck Jonathan will force Jega to embark on terminal leave to pave way for a replacement, according to Sahara Reporters.

Reports say INEC National Commissioner of Amina Bala Zakari has already been chosen to replace Jega.

“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,” an INEC source supposedly told Sahara Reporters.

Another source said that the Presidency was prepared for the outrage that would trail Jega’s removal.

“They believe the APC, the world press, the US and EU will make noise, but then everybody will eventually calm down,” the source said.

On the reason for Jega’s fall-out with the Presidency, the source said it was due to the INEC chairman’s refusal to be compromised.

“Many RECs (resident electoral commissioners) are in the party’s [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,” an INEC source said.

Rumours of Jega’s planned removal have been rife since he announced the postponement of the general elections in February.