From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Some lawyers under the aegis of Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers (CNL) have told President Bola Tinubu to disregard agitations for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Their request was contained in a petition addressed to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Rishi Sunak, through Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery (CMG).
They explained to Sunak that the clamour for Yakubu’s removal was sponsored because of stance against electoral manipulation.
The petition read 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 Nigerian 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”, the group said.
“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 endeavours 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.”