INEC: Don’t Re-confirm Rufus Akeju as REC, Rights Group tells Senate
As Senate postponed the screening of the nominees for the position of
the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) till after two weeks, a
human rights group in Nigeria, the Centre for Human Rights and Social
Justice (CHRSJ) has urged the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly
under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki not to re-confirm the name
of the immediate past Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),
Ambassador (Dr.) Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju over bribery allegation
scandal during the 2015 general elections.
The group however, disclosed that Dr. Akeju as a former Resident
Electoral Commissioner (REC) was still under investigation of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly
receiving N802million out of N23billion bribe disbursed to electoral
officials by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani
Alison-Madueke, during the 2015 general elections, adding that Akeju
has returned over sum of N100million back to the cover of the
anti-graft agency.
It alleged that Akeju has committed many electoral and immoral
atrocities, while serving as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in
both Osun and Oyo States respectively, urging the leadership of the
Senate to request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) to supply it the detail reports of the anti-graft investigation
on the bribery allegation rocking the general elections in Oyo State
under Akeju’s watch.
According to the statement signed by the CHRSJ’s Executive Chairman,
Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, a copy was made available to newsmen
on Wednesday, maintained that the senate should not confirm the man of
questionable character like Akeju into the Commission as headship of
its State office because of the sensitivity nature of the agency to
peaceful co-existence and development of the nation’s democracy,
insisting that Akeju does not fit to hold any position of authority in
the land again.
Comrade Sulaiman advised the Senate to reject Akeju’s nomination by
requesting for another credible person to represent the Lagos State in
the Commission, noting that the right group would soon forward a
letter to the Senate leadership, detailing the many atrocities
committed by Akeju while earlier serving in the Commission and as well
raising some fundamental issues that made Akeju unfit for the position
of authority in the land again.
Akeju, according to the group, lacked the requisite integrity,
temperament and civility to serve again in the Commission, his
rejection would save the Commission from impeding embarrassment and
odium.
The group said; “Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is
the sensitive agency of the Federal Government which should not be
allowed to characterize by the people of questionable character like
Ambassador Rufus Akeju. The role of the Commission is very important
to the peaceful co-existence of the nation and deepening of our
democracy.
“Anybody that would serve in the electoral umpire should live above
board, not controversial personality like Ambassador Akeju. How come a
person like Akeju who is still under investigation of Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for N802 million electoral bribery
scandal, would still be forwarded for re-appointment under the Change
mantra, President Muhammadu Buhari and as well request the Senate to
confirm such person. If Akeju re-confirmed, it would not augur well
for the commission as the country is preparing to have free, fair,
credible and generally acceptable elections in 2019”
It added that, “It is incumbent on us as an organization that is
committed to the promotion of peace, good governance, sanctity of
truth, credible elections and democratic ethos to let the Senate know
that Ambassador Rufus Akeju is not fit and proper person to be
reconsidered for such a privilege appointment”.
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