INEC’s clarification was contained in a statement issued by Kayode Idowu, the chief press secretary to the commission’s national chairman, Attahiru Jega. The statement said the commission asked Mr. Akeju to step aside because of intense partisan acrimony around him.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rufus Akeju, was asked to proceed on a leave of absence—reportedly for his own safety and as his contribution to ensuring the credibility of the state governorship election scheduled for August 9, 2014.
The commission insisted that Mr. Akeju has not been removed or redeployed as widely reported in the media today.
Mr. Idowu said the REC, aware of INEC’s efforts to continue a free, fair and credible election in Osun State, accepted the commission’s request. He stated that Mr. Akeju had not been indicted for any offence, adding that INEC’s appeal for a stay of execution of the interlocutory order restraining the Commission from recognizing him as REC for Osun State was still in progress.
“For [the] avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Rufus Akeju remains INEC’s substantive Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State. But another Resident Electoral Commissioner will hold fort for the period that Akeju will be away on his leave of absence,” the commission’s statement disclosed. According to INEC’s spokesman, “The Commission hereby reaffirms commitment to spare no effort in ensuring that the upcoming Osun State governorship election is successful, and that it meets the best possible standard of credibility. It urges all other stakeholders to join in this commitment.”