Emefiele: INEC Loses Trust in CBN to Keep Sensitive Election Materials

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is suspecting that the expressed political interest of Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may compromise the ability of the apex bank to keep sensitive election materials in the forthcoming elections.

As a result, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday said it may consider alternatives for storing the materials outside the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said this while responding to a question on the political ambition and partisanship of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Recall that Emefiele had filed a suit seeking enforcement of his right to contest the 2023 Presidential election without resigning from his current position.

Emefiele is among the heads of agency and extra-ministerial departments yet to resign after President Muhammadu Buhari’s order which directed members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other political appointees with political ambition to resign.

Speaking on the development, Yakubu said the commission might be forced to find another arrangement for the handling of sensitive materials.

“I understand the context in which the question is asked. But you should also understand the context in which events are unfolding.

“As we speak, our director, litigation and prosecution is in court. There is a case in court. We have been invited to state our own side of the story. We usually refrain from talking about such issues because there is essentially subjudice.

“But we have already started talking about what alternatives are available to us in case we need to change the arrangement for the handling of sensitive materials.

“We are aware of the situation. We will watch the situation. We still have nine months before the next general elections. Things may be addressed before then,” he said.

Yakubu assured that the conduct of the election would not be jeopardized.