The Independent National Electoral Commission has verbally expressed the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, opted to go on leave, contrary to insinuations he was coerced to do so.
Last week, the electoral body promulgated that it had directed Akeju to “proceed on leave of absence”, citing his safety as a reason.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC’s Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, verbalized the REC kenned that going on leave was for his own good.
“He himself realised it was for his own good. He opted to go on leave,” Idowu verbalized.
He integrated that the step taken by the commission and its REC did not infringe the principles of the electoral body. According to him, the commission acted on truth and decided what was best for all the parties involved in the crisis concerning the Osun REC.
INEC’s spokesperson verbalized further, “We analysed the scenario and came to a conclusion that for the interest of the resident electoral commissioner in Osun State, for the good of everybody and in the best interest of the electoral process he concurred with the INEC to go on leave.
“It is an ephemeral measure.”
Asked if the INEC would always redeploy any other REC found involved in a controversial situation, Idowu verbalized the commission’s reaction would depend on the circumstances.
“Every case is addressed on its own merit. INEC acts on truth; it believes in truth. INEC does not join issues with any political party.
