Why we removed Osun REC —INEC • As Agbaje takes over

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, said that the former Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, was removed from office because of the barrage of allegations made against him by some key stakeholders in the state ahead its August 9 governorship election. Speaking at a media workshop in Kaduna, on Wednesday, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, who confirmed the removal of Akeju, disclosed that the removal was formally approved after INEC’s executive meeting in Abuja. He explained that at a stakeholders’ meeting last Feburary, in Osogbo, there were protests even in the presence of the chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, where documented evidence against Akeju were produced; hence, it became very clear that he would not be able to conduct a free and fair election. He also added that during an interface with editors in March, Akeju’s credibility to conduct the election against the background of allegations was questioned. He further noted that it was clear that the Osun State REC would be removed, following the barrage of petitions and protests against his continued stay as REC by some stakeholders of the election, as well as a court ruling ordering his removal as Osun REC. Mr Dazang recalled that even “when we were in Ekiti State, there were agitations against his continued stay as REC in Osun State.” Speculations had been making the rounds since last week, that Akeju had been directed to proceed on leave, which was refuted by the commission, in spite of controversies over a court ruling and appeal for his removal over claims of partisanship. The Federal High Court in Osogbo, on March 23, 2011, presided by Honourable Justice Babs Kuewumi, gave an interlocutory order of injunction restraining INEC from recognising the REC, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons in the suit instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against him. However, INEC filed an appeal for a stay of execution of the interlocutory order appeal at the Court of Appeal in Akure,Ondo State. Meanwhile, Mr Segun Agbaje, on Tuesday, formally assumed duty is Oshogbo, the Osun State capital, as the new REC, thus putting an end to the waiting game of the removal of Akeju. Agbaje is expected to address the press today on his mission as the new REC of the state.