2023: I won’t join Presidential race – INEC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that he will not contest the 2023 Presidency.

He said this while reacting to insinuations in some quarters that he may soon join the race.

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“Our attention has been drawn to innuendoes in certain quarters that Nigerians should not be surprised if the INEC Chairman joins the Presidential race or urging him to do so.

“It is a preposterous proposition. It will not happen,” Yakubu said in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi.

According to him, the Chairman remains an umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections.
Oyekanmi said, “His constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election are onerous enough for him to even contemplate straying into extraneous matters at variance with the law, morality and his personal principles.
“The chairman will continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or ill will against, any political party or candidate.”