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Lawyers back INEC chair, pass vote of confidence

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JUST IN: INEC Extends PVC Collection Deadline@aljazirahnews.com

Lawyers in Nigeria, Friday, passed a vote of confidence and threw weight behind the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu on the heels of calls for his sack and resignation.

The lawyers said it is uncalled for some persons to be mischievous to go down so low to put out allegations they cannot substantiate rather they were out to run down the incredibility of INEC and blackmail its chairman.

The lawyers under the auspices of Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers, CNL, in a petition addressed to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, UK, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, through Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery CMG, asserted that the malicious claims of bribery and corruption were propagated by faceless individuals.

The petition reads in part: “We, the undersigned Nigerian lawyers, write this petition with great concern and urgency regarding the unsubstantiated and fake allegations made against Mallam Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We implore you to address this issue and rectify the damage caused to Mallam Yakubu’s reputation and the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

“The allegations in question, as reported by the conspiracy-driven news outlets and social media, claim that Mallam Yakubu engaged in corrupt practices and has accepted bribes. These malicious claims were propagated by faceless individuals who lack any form of credibility or substantiation for their accusations. It is clear that these allegations are baseless and intended solely to tarnish the reputation of Mallam Yakubu and undermine the integrity of INEC.

“Mallam Mahmood Yakubu has dedicated his career to public service and has consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to upholding democratic principles. His track record as the Chairman of INEC is commendable, with major strides made towards ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria. We firmly believe that his leadership has significantly contributed to the democratic progress witnessed in recent years.

“It is worth noting that INEC, under the leadership of Mallam Yakubu, successfully conducted the 2019 general elections, which were internationally recognized as a significant improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process. This recognition further solidifies his reputation as a competent and trustworthy election administrator.

“The recent protest organized against Mallam Yakubu by the United Nigeria in Diaspora (UND) a faceless Group without any means of identification or address and the call for Prof. Mahmood’s resignation are deeply concerning. These unsubstantiated allegations and actions serve to erode public confidence in the electoral process and undermine Nigeria’s democracy as a whole. It is crucial that we protect the institutions responsible for conducting free and fair elections and ensure that they are not subjected to baseless attacks.

“We call upon your office, in collaboration with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, to intervene in this matter and seek clarification on the allegations made against Mallam Yakubu. We urge you to issue a statement denouncing these false accusations and affirming support for the independence and integrity of INEC.”

However, the petitioners urged the British High Commissioner to Nigeria to engage relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and bring the accusers to book over the spreading false information about the INEC boss.

“Furthermore, we request that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria engages with relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for spreading false information about Mallam Yakubu. It is imperative that those who seek to undermine the electoral process through unsubstantiated allegations are identified and brought to justice”, it added.

Meanwhile, the lawyers acknowledged the fact that, “As legal professionals, we believe in the principles of due process, fairness, and justice. It is our duty to advocate for the rights and reputation of individuals when they are subjected to false accusations that have the potential to cause irreparable harm. We trust that you, as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will prioritize the pursuit of truth and fairness in addressing this matter.

“Lastly, we urge you to stand firmly with the Nigerian government in their endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the integrity of the electoral process. It is through collaborative efforts and adherence to democratic principles that we can ensure a brighter future for Nigeria and its citizens.”

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NTAC DG Celebrates President Tinubu’s Second Year as Nigeria’s President

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…Highlights His Leadership Skills and Economic Achievements

Joel Ajayi
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub says President Tinubu has risen above global economic dynamics and confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place Nigeria on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow.


The NTAC boss,who stated the above in a congratulatory message made available to press men today in Abuja in commemoration of the second year anniversary of the Tinubu Presidency,added that Nigerians were excited at how ingeniously President Tinubu was able to pull back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising external reserves of the country.
The rest of the piece read:


“Your  Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation, *Letter of Congratulations on Your Two Years of Impactful Leadership and Service to Nigeria


“Permit me to respectfully avail myself of this means and the auspicious occasion of your second anniversary in office as President and Commander-in-Chief,Federal Republic of Nigeria, to convey my humble congratulations on the reformative and transformational turnaround that you have   injected into governance and national leadership in these last two years since assuming the Nigerian Presidency.


“Without an iota of doubt,Sir,you came in,you saw and you have conquered.In the immortal words of one of the greatest leaders of all time:” You Have Done What Napoleon Could Not Do!”


“I recall with the clarity of a former federal lawmaker,who with every sense of modesty was in a position to know at the time,how our national life was mired in loss of hope, uncertainty, deepening insecurity, ethno-regional tensions as well as sullen economic indices.


“It was, indeed,a tall order to find that man who could clean the Augean stable,which, in fairness to the immediate-past national leadership,arose as a result of several factors,most of which were global and , therefore, beyond their total control.


“Today,Your Excellency,Mr.President,you have not only risen above global economic dynamics but confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place our nation back on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow!


“Today,Your Excellency,many Nigerians,in spite of what you often refer to as “current pangs of hardship for a better tomorrow”,are excited at how ingenious you have brought back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising our external reserves.Surely,this could not have been an accident of leadership,but the result of a well-intended and carefully executed fiscal policy that has delivered on its premeditated targets.


“Your Excellency,Mr.President,as we ruminate on the path through which you have led us through these past two years, Nigerians may not be very much aware of the many hours of sleep you lose to hold the nation together,to keep the economy on a sound footing,to restore the prices of goods and commodities to the pre-energy subsidy removal era,to ease tensions in regions with security challenges and to keep our workers happy,but every Nigerian knows that the nation has a leader that truly cares. We all can attest to this in your body language and poise each time you address the nation!


“Your Excellency,Mr.President,we may go on and on to chronicle the quantum leap your gracious leadership skills and initiated policies have foisted on the nation these past years,but those who do not travel abroad may not fully understand the extent of the positive turnaround that you have caused to happen in our individual and collective destinies across the globe in so short a time.Simply put,it suffices to just say here that the honour of our green passport has also been largely restored,thanks to Your Excellency,Mr.President’s Foreign Policy Initiatives and leadership ingenuity these past two years of purposeful leadership.


“Your Excellency,Mr.President,Sir,as you take a detour into the next half of your glorious first tenure,we,who you graciously appointed as some of your foot soldiers,join millions of your admirers, well-wishers and mentees across the world to wish you well and to pray that you daily continue to draw from the rich reservoir of wisdom, strength and good health deposited in you by the Almighty God Himself at creation to lead Nigeria and Africa in the right direction.


“For myself and my family,and on behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),which by the grace of God, your magnanimous appointment and continuous support I currently head,I congratulate you once again ,Your Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation,and pray that you find more health, wisdom, inspiration and strength to continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda and maintain the path of realizing The Nigerian Dream in our lifetime,” the NTAC DG concluded.


Following the swearing-in ceremonies held at the Eagle Square,Abuja,on May 29,2023, President Tinubu took over the reins of leadership, succeeding his Party man and immediate-past President,Gen.Muhammadu Buhari,Retd.

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