CSOs Pass Vote Of Confidence On INEC Chairman, Yakubu

THE Coalition of about 300 Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, Friday, March 15, 2024, vehemently condemned calls for the sack of Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Vanguard newspaper reports.

The Coalition made the condemnation during a press conference held in Abuja, where they said a particular group made the allegations with threats to storm the streets of Abuja, Lagos and Kano to call the INEC chairman to resign or be forced out of office.

Members of the Coalition present at the press conference include; Change for impact; Hope Builders Restoration; Empowerment Solutions Initiative; Citizen Engagement Network; Education Access Initiative; Tinubu Nationals for Better Government; Poverty Eradication Foundation; Peace and Justice Initiative; Transparency and Accountability Network; Advocacy for Media Freedom; Inclusion Now Project; Lets Build Nigeria Initiatives; Rural Development Association; Urban Renewal Association; Sustainable communities; Anti-corruption movement; Children’s Right Advocacy Group; Peace and Rights Advocacy; Justice, peace and Equity Social change; and Urban Development and planning.

They said: “It has come to our attention that the ‘United Nigerians Diaspora (UND)’ has organized a protest, making unfounded allegations against Mallam Yakubu and demanding his resignation or disgraceful removal from office. We strongly condemn this attack on the credibility and integrity of an individual who has dedicated his service to ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria.

“Mallam Mahmood Yakubu has demonstrated exceptional leadership during his tenure at INEC. He has been instrumental in driving significant electoral reforms, improving the electoral process, and strengthening the trust of Nigerians in the democratic system. His commitment to transparency, impartiality, and accountability in conducting elections is commendable and has contributed to the progress of our democratic journey.

“The allegations made against Mallam Yakubu by the UND Group are baseless, false, and defamatory. They not only undermine the efforts of INEC but are also detrimental to the democratic principles we hold dear as a nation. It is our duty as members of the civil society to ensure that such malicious attacks are condemned, and our democracy is protected.

“We call upon the UND Group and other parties involved to halt the spread of false information and engage in constructive dialogue with INEC and relevant stakeholders. It is crucial that concerns regarding the electoral process are addressed through appropriate channels and in a responsible manner.

“Furthermore, we urge the Nigerian public and the media to exercise caution and responsibility when reporting on such sensitive matters. The dissemination of inaccurate or unverified information can have serious consequences for our democracy, and it is our collective duty to ensure the preservation of truth and accuracy in reporting.

“In conclusion, we stand in solidarity with Mallam Mahmood Yakubu and no doubt affirm our confidence in his leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We commend his unwavering dedication to democratic values and the progress our nation has made under his guidance.”