“Once Prof. Jega is removed, Mr. President will nominate a new chairman who will declare that INEC is not ready to use PVCs. And once PVCs are removed, it will become easier to carry out major rigging,” an INEC source said.


SaharaReporters has learned that hawkish members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle have convinced him to move in an aggressive and decisive manner to remove Attahiru Jega as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this week.

Sources within INEC as well as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disclosed that, barring a last-minute change of heart, President Jonathan will go ahead this week to force Mr. Jega to embark on a terminal leave prior to the end of his year in the middle of 2015.

Our sources said the decision to remove Mr. Jega would open the door to appoint a new chairman, a national commisoner of INEC, Amina Bala Zakari, who would be open to jettisoning the use of permanent voters cards and other anti-rigging technologies. “Once Prof. Jega is removed, Mr. President will nominate a new chairman who will declare that INEC is not ready to use PVCs. And once PVCs are removed, it will become easier to carry out major rigging,” an INEC source said.

He added that the Presidency had been able to use its massive slush funds, sourced from deals in the oil and energy sectors, to compromise a majority of INEC officials in the states. Over the last four years, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been stashing away funds that President Jonathan is now using to bribe electoral officials, traditional rulers, and even some members of the civil society groups. One PDP insider told SaharaReporters that Mr. Jonathan had distributed more than $200 million to different groups since INEC postponed elections two weeks ago.

Several sources said the removal of Mr. Jega is a major part of a strategy developed by President Jonathan’s team to ensure that they win the presidential and other elections by hook or crook. The presidential election is now scheduled for March 28 while governorship and legislative polls will hold on April 11.

Two weeks ago, facing a groundswell of opposition and in the face of rising unpopularity, the PDP and Mr. Jonathan used a series of maneuvers to compel INEC to postpone elections for six weeks. SaharaReporters had detailed plans by Mr. Jonathan and his team to postpone elections in order to slow the momentum of the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The Presidency knew that the APC and its presidential candidate were short on campaign funds, said our sources. In forcing the postponement, Mr. Jonathan and his inner circle achieved a temporary crippling of the main opposition party’s ability to continue to run political campaigns and to sustain its electoral lead over the ruling party.

An APC top official told SaharaReporters that the party was truly short of funds. “The president and his people have been putting aside public funds for a long time. They are now sharing the money around the country, but Nigerians are not fools. When the elections come, people will remember that all that money was stolen from them,” he said.

Prior to the postponement, some PDP officials had confided in SaharaReporters that their party and Mr. Jonathan were on the ropes and faced certain defeat. But following the postponement, some of the same officials now wax confidence, asserting that Mr. Jonathan and their party would comfortably win the elections.

A PDP official told SaharaReporters that Mr. Jega’s removal was a done deal. According to him, the hawks around Mr. Jonathan, including Ms. Alison-Madueke, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Vice President Namadi Sambo, and presidential aides Doyin Okupe and Femi Fani-Kayode, believe that the PDP and Mr. Jonathan can weather the storm of any fallout from the firing of the INEC chairman. “They believe the APC, the world press, the US and EU will make noise, but then everybody will eventually calm down,” said the source. He added that the same situation played out when President Jonathan removed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Governor of the Central Bank.

Our sources said Mr. Jega’s refusal to be compromised in the conduct of this year’s elections had spelt his doom. “Many RECs (resident electoral commissioners) are in the party’s [PDP’s] pocket, but Professor Jega has refused even to pick up the phone calls of those representing the president. That’s why the decision has been reached to push him out of the way,” one INEC source said. He added that Mr. Jega knew that the eyes of the world were on him, and had decided to run elections that are acknowledged as credible.

Our sources added that, before and after Mr. Jega’s removal, the PDP plans to launch a major campaign to depict him as incompetent, corrupt, and a servant of the APC. “His successor will come out and say that INEC’s preparations for the elections are in a state of mess and that further delay is needed to make proper preparations,” he added.


http://saharareporters.com/2015/03/01/presidency-may-remove-jega-week

Let's wait and see what happens all this will end march 28..............

I have utmost respect for men and women who can never be compromised. Jega is one of those people who can never be compromised when discharging their duties. Jega is a man of honor. He should hold his head high.

It is now left to our competent lawyers to show this lawless president that there is law that says INEC Chairman is not a civil servant that can be asked to leave his post without the 2/3 of the Senate agreeing to it. Jega is not being paid by federal government. Jega is not a civil servant. The law only grants the president the power to nominate INEC Chairman. Power to nominate is different from power to appoint or sack.

If he gets removed, whats the big deal? I wonder why these APC members are protecting Jega like this?

D sacking shld come asap, make I start to dhe celebrate d victory

sack Jiga already!
the man has messed up distribution of PVCs.
Jiga has disgraced Nigeria.
He should resign if he likes himself.

Jega really messed up with the distribution of the PVCS, for those saying if he is removed heaven's will fall. Don't forget worse was said about Abiola.People were screaming if Abiola dies Nigeria is finished. Finally what happened? Jega would be removed and nothing would happen

sincerenigerian:
“Once Prof. Jega is removed, Mr. President will nominate a new chairman who will declare that INEC is not ready to use PVCs. And once PVCs are removed, it will become easier to carry out major rigging,” an INEC source said.


SaharaReporters has learned that hawkish members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle have convinced him to move in an aggressive and decisive manner to remove Attahiru Jega as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this week.

Sources within INEC as well as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disclosed that, barring a last-minute change of heart, President Jonathan will go ahead this week to force Mr. Jega to embark on a terminal leave prior to the end of his year in the middle of 2015.

Our sources said the decision to remove Mr. Jega would open the door to appoint a new chairman, a national commisoner of INEC, Amina Bala Zakari, who would be open to jettisoning the use of permanent voters cards and other anti-rigging technologies. “Once Prof. Jega is removed, Mr. President will nominate a new chairman who will declare that INEC is not ready to use PVCs. And once PVCs are removed, it will become easier to carry out major rigging,” an INEC source said.

He added that the Presidency had been able to use its massive slush funds, sourced from deals in the oil and energy sectors, to compromise a majority of INEC officials in the states. Over the last four years, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been stashing away funds that President Jonathan is now using to bribe electoral officials, traditional rulers, and even some members of the civil society groups. One PDP insider told SaharaReporters that Mr. Jonathan had distributed more than $200 million to different groups since INEC postponed elections two weeks ago.

Several sources said the removal of Mr. Jega is a major part of a strategy developed by President Jonathan’s team to ensure that they win the presidential and other elections by hook or crook. The presidential election is now scheduled for March 28 while governorship and legislative polls will hold on April 11.

Two weeks ago, facing a groundswell of opposition and in the face of rising unpopularity, the PDP and Mr. Jonathan used a series of maneuvers to compel INEC to postpone elections for six weeks. SaharaReporters had detailed plans by Mr. Jonathan and his team to postpone elections in order to slow the momentum of the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The Presidency knew that the APC and its presidential candidate were short on campaign funds, said our sources. In forcing the postponement, Mr. Jonathan and his inner circle achieved a temporary crippling of the main opposition party’s ability to continue to run political campaigns and to sustain its electoral lead over the ruling party.

An APC top official told SaharaReporters that the party was truly short of funds. “The president and his people have been putting aside public funds for a long time. They are now sharing the money around the country, but Nigerians are not fools. When the elections come, people will remember that all that money was stolen from them,” he said.

Prior to the postponement, some PDP officials had confided in SaharaReporters that their party and Mr. Jonathan were on the ropes and faced certain defeat. But following the postponement, some of the same officials now wax confidence, asserting that Mr. Jonathan and their party would comfortably win the elections.

A PDP official told SaharaReporters that Mr. Jega’s removal was a done deal. According to him, the hawks around Mr. Jonathan, including Ms. Alison-Madueke, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Vice President Namadi Sambo, and presidential aides Doyin Okupe and Femi Fani-Kayode, believe that the PDP and Mr. Jonathan can weather the storm of any fallout from the firing of the INEC chairman. “They believe the APC, the world press, the US and EU will make noise, but then everybody will eventually calm down,” said the source. He added that the same situation played out when President Jonathan removed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Governor of the Central Bank.

Our sources said Mr. Jega’s refusal to be compromised in the conduct of this year’s elections had spelt his doom. “Many RECs (resident electoral commissioners) are in the party’s [PDP’s] pocket, but Professor Jega has refused even to pick up the phone calls of those representing the president. That’s why the decision has been reached to push him out of the way,” one INEC source said. He added that Mr. Jega knew that the eyes of the world were on him, and had decided to run elections that are acknowledged as credible.

Our sources added that, before and after Mr. Jega’s removal, the PDP plans to launch a major campaign to depict him as incompetent, corrupt, and a servant of the APC. “His successor will come out and say that INEC’s preparations for the elections are in a state of mess and that further delay is needed to make proper preparations,” he added.


http://saharareporters.com/2015/03/01/presidency-may-remove-jega-week

Jega cannot be removed. He will only be required by our constitution to embark on compulsory terminal leave. This is typical and acceptable practice in civil service. Iwu embarked on similar leave and nobody threatened the government of Nigeria.

A similar post like this is on FP

https://www.nairaland.com/2174232/presidency-may-remove-jega-week

GEJ should not try it because the consequences won't be palatable

Noviolence2015:

Jega cannot be removed. He will only be required by our constitution to embark on compulsory terminal leave. This is typical and acceptable practice in civil service. Iwu embarked on similar leave and nobody threatened the government of Nigeria.

Jega is not a civil servant. He has a five year tenure which ends on June 30th. This case is different from Iwu's case. Electoral law as amended three years ago is different from when Iwu was there. Iwu was not asked to leave 22 days before an election. Jega is not being paid by the federal government.


[b]"Alleged terminal leave, illegal —Falana, Ubani

In their separate reactions, rights lawyers, including Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), insisted that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the power to either sack Jega, or send him on a terminal leave. A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Ubani, and Mr. Malachy Ugwummadu, also spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH in separate interviews.

They cited provisions of Section 158 of the constitution as providing that the INEC Chairman could only be sacked with the approval of two-third majority of the members of the Senate.

Falana also explained that Section 155 of the constitution conferred independence on the INEC chairman with immunity from any directive or influence from any person or authority.

The senior advocate said, “At his last presidential chat, the president gave the erroneous impression that he could hire and fire the chairman of INEC. With profound respect, that is not correct.

“By virtue of Section 155 of the constitution, the INEC chairman has a renewable five-year tenure. The appointment and removal has to be by the resolution of no less than a two-third majority of the Senate.

“Before the resolution is passed, the President will need to address the Senate and justify the reasons on the need to remove the INEC chairman on account of his inability to discharge his duties.

“On the issue of sending Jega on terminal leave, the President has no power to do that because once appointed, the INEC chairman is not subject to the control or directive of any power or authority by virtue of Section 158 of the constitution.”

On his part, Ugwummadu, said beyond the constitutional provisions conferring immunity against undue influence on the INEC chairman, Nigerians were paying close attention to any plot to remove the INEC boss.

He said, “The idea of sacking Prof. Attahiru Jega has been making the rounds and should be watched carefully just as we have remained circumspect regarding the further shift of the elections.”

Ubani threatened to personally lead a “nationwide crusade” against the President should there be any attempt by his administration to remove Jega, having earlier publicly promised that he (President Jonathan) had no such intention."
[/b]

Because Jonathan got away with illegality he did with Sanusi, he now thinks he can get away with this. The courts are there to settle this.

If JEGA is truly a man of integrity he should proceed on his terminal leave as the law stipulates and not over heat the polity.

TechRev:
If JEGA is truly a man of integrity he should proceed on his terminal leave as the law stipulates and not over heat the polity.

Are you daft or what? Which law stipulates that he proceed on terminal leave?

TechRev:
If JEGA is truly a man of integrity he should proceed on his terminal leave as the law stipulates and not over heat the polity.

Period... His allegiance to Nigeria is in doubts. Thus he is no more fit to perform national duties since the same regional bug that bit Buhari when he was PTF chairman has bitten him. Bug that made Buhari execute over 80% of PTF project in the North.

Same bug that made him cancel Lagos metro line when he was a dictator has bitten Jega. Otherwise how do we explain the disparity nature of PVC distribution in the north and southern part of Nigeria? #jegamustgo

Genius100:


Are you daft or what? Which law stipulates that he proceed on terminal leave?

The guiding principles of 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria requires civil servants to proceed on terminal leave three months to the end of their service.

Stop shouting daft because you appear far more daft than the man you questioned.

[s]

Noviolence2015:


Period... His allegiance to Nigeria is in doubts. Thus he is no more fit to perform national duties since the same regional bug that bit Buhari when he was PTF chairman has bitten him. Big that made Buhari execute over 80% of PTF project in the North.

Same bug that made him cancel Lagos metro line when he was a dictator has bitten Jega. Otherwise how do we explain the disparity nature of PVC distribution in the north and southern part of Nigeria? #jegamustgo

[/s]

Nonsense. Same discredited lies that are not believable anymore.

sincerenigerian:
[s][/s]

Nonsense. Same discredited lines that are not believable anymore.

You will soon wake up from your slumber and face reality that no one, region or party is above the law...

[s]

Noviolence2015:


You will soon wake up from your slumber and face reality that no one, region or party is above the law...

[/s]

I have no time for dreamers like you. Go get some sleep.

So who is taking over from JEGA?

Amina Bala Zakari

Amina Bala Zakari, a pharmacist by profession hails from Jigawa State. She completed her Secondary Education from the prestigious Queens College Yaba, Lagos. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in Pharmacy with Second Class upper (Best Graduating Student) in 1980 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
After completing the National Youth Service, she worked as a Professional Pharmacist in various hospitals from 1983 – 1996. She then moved into the consultancy field to serve in various capacities as a consultant in Health and Social Services from 1997 up till her appointment as National Commissioner, INEC. [b]She has also served as a Special Assistant to the President [/b]and was posted to FCT where she served as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Social Development and Agriculture and Rural Development from 2004 – 2007.

Her Consultancy services covered Federal MDAs (FMWH, NAFDAC, NPHCDA etc) MDGs and the Private Sector.

Amina Bala Zakari is a registered Pharmacist and Member Pharmacist’s Society of Nigeria as well as Member of Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM).

Other qualifications obtained include, Certificate in Managing Drugs Supply for Primary Health Care from MHS Amsterdam in 1997, Certificate in Project Management 1998, Certificate in Senior Management from Crown Agents London in 2005 Certificate in Executive Education in Business Management from Harvard Business School.

EmoBoy:
If he gets removed, whats the big deal? I wonder why these APC members are protecting Jega like this?

Curiously, the only institution of government that the APC approves of is INEC under Jega. This begs for many answers as to why?

What deal does the APC have with Jega? What is Jega not telling Nigerians

Why is my PVC still missing? I have the same constitutional rights to vote as any other Nigerian!!!

Why are PVC printed in far away China?

Allowing Jega carry out the elections in 2015 is like taking a "slow boat to China". We may never get there democratically with questionable characters like Jega in position of authority to over see a non biase entity like INEC.

In the name of not ruining our democracy, PDP has finished this country. We all sit back, and watch and are becoming powerless. This is worse than military dictatorship. At least then, we knew we could protest and our protests meant something.
However, I know something for sure....Jonathan will not get away with this.

sincerenigerian:
[s][/s]

I have no time for dreamers like you. Go get some sleep.

This is a national issue, we should be able to defend our stands or not take one.

I have given you reasons why Jega cannot continue be it because he is due for terminal leave or not. I have lost faith in him as an unbiased umpire.

I rather he resign.
To you sincerenigerian, put out a plausible view on why he should not go and let Nigerians figure the rest out for themselves.

olapluto:
In the name of not ruining our democracy, PDP has finished this country. We all sit back, and watch and are becoming powerless. This is worse than military dictatorship. At least then, we knew we could protest and our protests meant something.
However, I know something for sure....Jonathan will not get away with this.

What is the legal position on Jega's tenure and the leave?

Do you know it and if you do can you share it?

Or you just don't care about that as long as it is not in favour of your temporary desires i.e. are you a LAWLESS person

Nigeria is now Wilson Thabo of One Week, one trouble. January it was Buhari's certificate; Fortnight ago, it was election postponement, last week it was Chatham House and this Week, Jega.

sincerenigerian:
I have utmost respect for men and women who can never be compromised. Jega is one of those people who can never be compromised when discharging their duties. Jega is a man of honor. He should hold his head high.

It is now left to our competent lawyers to show this lawless president that there is law that says INEC Chairman is not a civil servant that can be asked to leave his post without the 2/3 of the Senate agreeing to it. Jega is not being paid by federal government. Jega is not a civil servant. The law only grants the president the power to nominate INEC Chairman. Power to nominate is different from power to appoint or sack.

Surely they know about the laws and the repercussion.....

anonimi:


What is the legal position on Jega's tenure and the leave?

Do you know it and if you do can you share it?

Or you just don't care about that as long as it is not in favour of your temporary desires i.e. are you a LAWLESS person

You must know better than law professors. Anyway, politics will come and go, Nigeria will remain and evil people will meet their waterloo one day soon.
Abacha looked invincible till God struck. The same God who dealt with Abacha is still alive to handle GEJ and other enemies of this country. I believe JEGA will actually leave this week, but still I believe God is alive.

Since when did Falana become a jeun soke charge & bail lawyer abi na LIAR sef

They cited provisions of Section 158 of the constitution as providing that the INEC Chairman could only be sacked with the approval of two-third majority of the members of the Senate.

Falana also explained that Section 155 of the constitution conferred independence on the INEC chairman with immunity from any directive or influence from any person or authority.

The senior advocate said, “At his last presidential chat, the president gave the erroneous impression that he could hire and fire the chairman of INEC. With profound respect, that is not correct.

“By virtue of Section 155 of the constitution, the INEC chairman has a renewable five-year tenure. The appointment and removal has to be by the resolution of no less than a two-third majority of the Senate.

- Is he being sacked?

- Is he due for terminal leave?

- Did others in similar position go on terminal leave before him?

The man was nominated in June 2010 i.e. five years ago less three months.

So anyone can answer the above questions INTELLIGENTLY devoid of useless emotions.

sincerenigerian:
I have utmost respect for men and women who can never be compromised. Jega is one of those people who can never be compromised when discharging their duties. Jega is a man of honor. He should hold his head high.

It is now left to our competent lawyers to show this lawless president that there is law that says INEC Chairman is not a civil servant that can be asked to leave his post without the 2/3 of the Senate agreeing to it. Jega is not being paid by federal government. Jega is not a civil servant. The law only grants the president the power to nominate INEC Chairman. Power to nominate is different from power to appoint or sack.

Jega is going on routine terminal leave. Maurice Iwu did the same. It's standard practice.

I don't know why the PDP-led administration is hell-bent on sending Jega on a compulsory leave when election is at the corner. What is this fear about card readers all about.

I think GEJ himself was shouting One man One vote in 2011, now that is time to really prove that slogan technologically, he is now jittery about it.

VOTE WISELY
I AM READY.

Noviolence2015:


This is a national issue, we should be able to defend our stands or not take one.

I have given you reasons why Jega cannot continue be it because he is due for terminal leave or not. I have lost faith in him as an unbiased umpire.

I rather he resign.
To you sincerenigerian, put out a plausible view on why he should not go and let Nigerians figure the rest out for themselves.

Jega should not go because doing so automatically eliminates card reader that should serve as a deterrent for rigging. Jega should not go because he is a fair umpire that can't be bribed. Jega should not go because Nigeria will suffer credibility problem in the eyes f the world.

The only reason Jega is being hounded is inability of PDP to decode the rigging formula which card reader prevents.

olapluto:
You must know better than law professors. Anyway, politics will come and go, Nigeria will remain and evil people will meet their waterloo one day soon.
Abacha looked invincible till God struck. The same God who dealt with Abacha is still alive to handle GEJ and other enemies of this country. I believe JEGA will actually leave this week, but still I believe God is alive.

But that God will leave Buhari, Tinubu, Amaechi and the other coven-dwellers who have sucked our blood physically and economically for so many years/decades abi
That your god must be a joker, don't you think?



www.nairaland.com/attachments/2035028_buhari_jpeg124530d5bd433c751b175a8e21349689



www.nairaland.com/attachments/2090417_buhariviolence_jpegdc58400e6e7e56c3714cccdb8f4338bf

Apostle Johnson Suleman's prophesy gradually coming to pass...Can't wait for the second prophesy to be fulfilled which is that there will be mourning at APC camp after election...


GEJ till ..........