Redaction Africa Links 24 with Legit.ng
Published on 2024-03-16 16:08:55
Nigerian lawyers have expressed concern over calls for the resignation of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and have urged UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to intervene in the matter. These lawyers made their stance known in response to claims that Prof. Yakubu engaged in corrupt practices and accepted bribes during the 2023 general elections. It is important to note that these calls for resignation are being championed by a group known as United Nigeria in Diaspora (UND), which the lawyers described as a faceless group without proper identification or address.
The lawyers reaffirmed their confidence in Prof. Yakubu’s leadership at INEC and criticized the move to discredit him based on unsubstantiated allegations. They emphasized that it is irresponsible for individuals to spread false information without concrete evidence to back up their claims. The lawyers, operating under the Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers (CNL), addressed a petition to the UK Prime Minister and President Tinubu, calling for action against those behind the malicious claims of bribery and corruption against Prof. Yakubu.
In the petition, the lawyers urged the British High Commissioner in Nigeria to engage relevant authorities in investigating and holding accountable those responsible for spreading false information about the INEC chairman. They highlighted their concern about the recent protests organized by the faceless group UND and the subsequent calls for Prof. Mahmood’s resignation. The lawyers called upon the UK government to intervene in the matter and seek clarification on the allegations made against Prof. Yakubu.
The controversy surrounding Prof. Yakubu stems from his declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election. Critics alleged that Yakubu had manipulated the results in favor of Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. In response, INEC clarified that any system failure was only a technical glitch, dismissing claims of sabotage.
Despite the backlash against Prof. Yakubu, fact-checking platforms have debunked the claim that he regretted declaring Tinubu as the winner of the election. Tinubu emerged victorious over Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the LP in the hotly contested election. The lawyers involved in the petition have stood by Prof. Yakubu, emphasizing the need for due process and evidence-based accusations.
Overall, the petition by Nigerian lawyers to the UK Prime Minister reflects their commitment to upholding integrity and fairness in the electoral process. It underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in addressing allegations of misconduct, especially when they are unfounded. Prof. Yakubu’s leadership at INEC remains a subject of debate, but the legal community in Nigeria stands firm in defending his reputation against baseless attacks.
Read the original article on Legit.ng
