Presidency rumoured to be eyeing Governor Mimiko's brother to replace Jega as INEC chairman

Political rumours swirling around Abuja indicate that the presidency plans to replace Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega with the brother of the Ondo State Governor.

Over recent weeks, Professor Jega is reported to have been trying to exert his independence from the politicians, as he tried to proceed with elections on February 14 and 28 despite pressure to move the dates. Eventually, Professor Jega and INEC agreed to postpone the elections by six weeks to allow security agencies flush out Boko Haram and enable the distribution of more permanent voters' cards.

Despite this, however, Presidency officials are said to be unhappy with the intransigence of Professor Jega and are looking to replace him with Professor Olufemi Mimiko, the brother of the Ondo State governor. In what would be a highly controversial move seen by opponents as an attempt to rig the elections, Professor Mimiko's appointment would clearly be  volatile as his brother Governor Olusegun Mimiko is President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign director across the southwest.

Apparently, Professor Jega has been described by hawks around the president of being too independent-minded and uncooperative despite being given the job on a platter of gold. Professor Mimiko, a lecturer in Political Science and International Relations, is the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University in Ondo State. 

Professor Jega's tenure as INEC Chairman is due to expire on June 12 this year and it is unclear as to whether he will be allowed to see out his tenure. One way to get rid of him would be to ask him to comply with the civil service procedure of proceeding on three months terminal leave with effect from March 1.

However, all this would be highly controversial and apart from anything else, would be logistically difficult as the INEC Chairman needs to be approved by the senate. Any new appointed would need to be approved by parliamentarians and opposition senators are unlikely to accept any new chairman this close to the elections.

People's Democratic Party publicity secretary Olisa Metuh, has already accused INEC of working with the opposition All Progressives Congress to deny its members of permanent voter cards in some states. He called on the security agents to probe the commission over the development.

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