2019: ASUU Agrees To Participate in General Elections…As INEC Clears Air on Zakari’s Appointment
By
Abasi Femi Oguntayo
The Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has committed to allowing its members works
as INEC ad-hoc staff in the forthcoming elections.
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has committed to allowing its members works
as INEC ad-hoc staff in the forthcoming elections.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the INEC
and ASUU officials in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
and ASUU officials in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
At the meeting, the chairman of INEC, Professor
Mahmood Yakubu complained of being understaffed for the elections hence the
need to employ youth Corp members and students in various capacities.
Mahmood Yakubu complained of being understaffed for the elections hence the
need to employ youth Corp members and students in various capacities.
He also stated that 42 days is too short to train
additional staff if the academia does not avail its services as they have been
known to.
additional staff if the academia does not avail its services as they have been
known to.
Reacting to the controversy over the appointment of
Amina Zakari as chair of the collation centre committee, the chairman
insisted that Mrs Zakari, a national commissioner is not related to President
Muhammadu Buhari.
Amina Zakari as chair of the collation centre committee, the chairman
insisted that Mrs Zakari, a national commissioner is not related to President
Muhammadu Buhari.
It had been widely reported in the media that Zakari
is a niece of the president, her appointment was not warmly welcomed by some
including members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
is a niece of the president, her appointment was not warmly welcomed by some
including members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The INEC has earlier said that the controversy
generated by Zakari’s appointed was unnecessary.
generated by Zakari’s appointed was unnecessary.
Professor Yakubu in weighing in on the war of words
that have ensued after Zakari’s appointment said, “Let me say
categorically that she is not related to the President. She is from Jigawa
State, the President is from Katsina State.”
that have ensued after Zakari’s appointment said, “Let me say
categorically that she is not related to the President. She is from Jigawa
State, the President is from Katsina State.”
The INEC chairman dismissed allegations that Zakari
could help manipulate the outcome of the presidential election in favour of
President Buhari.
could help manipulate the outcome of the presidential election in favour of
President Buhari.
“Let me state this very categorically, that the
responsibility for managing the venue does not in any way involve the collation
of results,” he explained.
responsibility for managing the venue does not in any way involve the collation
of results,” he explained.
“Under the Nigerian Constitution, I am the Chief
Electoral Officer of the Federation and the Returning Officer in the
presidential election. I am not going to share that responsibility with anyone
in the commission,” Prof Yakubu stressed.
Electoral Officer of the Federation and the Returning Officer in the
presidential election. I am not going to share that responsibility with anyone
in the commission,” Prof Yakubu stressed.
