Why I Kicked Against The Reappointment Of INEC Chairman - Rotimi Amaechi

A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has revealed that he rejected the reappointment of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Amaechi stated that the embattled INEC chairman lacked the capacity to deliver a credible presidential, governorship, and legislative election.

According to the former Rivers State governor, the police also compromised the process by taking sides with a party in the River state governorship election. Amaechi claimed that as a member of the cabinet of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, he opposed Yakubu’s reappointment because of what he dubbed “lack of capacity”, stressing that he has been vindicated by what has been seen with the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

He further stated that INEC and Police are only working for Tinubu and not APC and that whoever Tinubu wants to win will definitely win because INEC and the Nigerian police are under his command.

However, 19 INEC Ad-Hoc staff were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday in Imo State. The INEC staff were on their way to seven different polling units in Ugbelie ward 06 in Ideato South LGA of Imo state when they were abducted. However, as of the time of filing this report, Police operatives in Imo State said all 19 staff have been rescued.

INEC spokesperson, Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, also confirmed the release. She said the rescue took place after a distress call and information about the incident was made to the operatives who immediately swung into action. They were rescued but Chinenye confirmed that all the election materials which include BVAS and sensitive materials were not recovered.