2023: INEC chairman denies presidential ambition

The Commission insisted that Yakubu remains an umpire, who is committed to free and fair election and will not stray into matters at variance with the law.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reads; “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.

“The Chairman remains an umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections. 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”.