The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, has been requested to proceed on leave of absence for his own safety and as his contribution to ensuring the credibility of the state governorship election scheduled for August 9, 2014.
This position was stated by INEC in a statement on Thursday by Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The statement was issued in reaction to stories in a section of the media (not The Eagle Online), that Akeju had been removed by INEC.
Idowu said Akeju was requested by the Commission to “step aside against the backdrop of intense partisan acrimony over his person”.
The statement said he acceded to the request, knowing the effort being invested by INEC to make the Osun State governorship election free, fair and credible.
Idowu said Akeju had not been indicted for any offence and that the appeal by INEC for a stay of execution of the interlocutory order restraining the Commission from recognising him as Osun State REC still subsists.
Idowu added in the statement: “For avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Rufus Akeju remains INEC’s substantive Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State. But another Resident Electoral Commissioner will hold fort for the period that Akeju will be away on his leave of absence.
“The Commission hereby reaffirms commitment to spare no effort in ensuring that the upcoming Osun State governorship election is successful, and that it meets the best possible standard of credibility. It urges all other stakeholders to join in this commitment.”
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