The chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Yakubu Mahmood has refuted reports that he is planning to purchase the N100 million presidential nomination and expression form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Yekanmi, disclosed that Yakubu remains an umpire committed to free, fair, and credible elections.
Yakubu called the rumour preposterous, adding that it would not happen.
“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 urges 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”, the statement reads.