The chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stilled throbbed by Nigerians for the shabby handling of the 2023 Presidential election, now faces internal rebellion as staff of the electoral umpire have passed a vote of no confidence on him.
The disenchanted staff in a statement on Tuesday called on relevant authorities, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe INEC’s financial records.
They accused Yakubu of turning the commission into a rotten egg, saying that he has turned himself into a god at INEC.
According to them, Prof Yakubu sees us “as slaves, if you talk, you get victimised.”
They said “the system in INEC is rotten due to the leadership style of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood.”
The statement is titled “We the entire staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to express our ‘disappointment and pass a vote of no confidence’ in Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, Hon. Chairman, INEC over the neglect of staff welfare matters.”
It reads, “He (Yakubu) has refused to implement the Review Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) that was approved by the former President Mohammad Buhari with effect from September 2022.
“He has also refused to implement 40% Peculiar Allowance to staff on CONPSS that was approved by the former President Muhammadu Buhari with effect from January 2023, claiming that there is no money. Now Federal government has approved 35% for all federal workers to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, INEC staff will not get because of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood way of administration. He will say there is no money.
“His promise to increase Electoral Hazard Allowance at a meeting held with staff in November 2022 has not seen the light of the day. He has turned a big liar.
“Medical staff are yet to be paid their National Minimum Wage that was approved in 2019 by former President Mohammad Buhari despite yearly appropriation in the budget.
“He has also turned the Commission into a one man show, no Commissioner can approach him. He does not allow staff to aired their grievances as there is no any medium or mechanism to address them.”
It added, “There is serious financial misappropriation by Prof Yakubu Mahmood as he concentrates mainly on contracts that will benefit him. Relevant authorities such as EFCC and ICPC can visit the INEC financial record for confirmation.
“Prof. Yakubu Mahmood is the first person to get a second term in office, but he is abusing the privilege given to him as staff cannot longer wait for his tenure expiration which is supposed to be November 2025. Many staff have died due to neglect of staff welfare matters.”
Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman had yet to react to the allegations 48 hours after.
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