We Will Not Sanction Our Officials Without Proof— Jega

Prof. Atahiru Jega, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said the commission would not just sanction any of its officials without clear evidence of misconduct.
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Jega said this at the Osun Stakeholders’ Forum for 2014 Governorship Election held in Osogbo.
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The INEC chief told representatives of political parties that the state Electoral Commissioner, Mr Rufus Akeju, could not be removed as being demanded because the case was still in court.
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Reports have it that protesters stormed the venue of the event at Leisure Spring Hotel Osogbo carrying placards with anti- Akeju inscriptions.
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Some of the placards read: “Akeju should quit office,” “Don’t allow Akeju to conduct the Aug. 9 governorship election,” “We can’t trust Osun REC for the governorship election”, among others.
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However, Jega recalled that the case had been heard in an Osun High Court and now is at the Court of Appeal.
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“Our lawyers said there was a stay of execution and we don’t expect our lawyers to lie to us.”
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According to him, all the parties to the case must be law- abiding as well as be very careful even as the commission has been investigating the matter too.
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“If there are people who say he will not do the election, let them produce evidence for their reasons or do we just respond to all accusations made by political parties.
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“ I call on all stakeholders in the election to join hands and work together in order to ensure that the coming election is free, fair and credible,” he said. Jega, who warned against violence and all forms of electoral misconduct, said that any election characterised with violence would be cancelled.
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He also warned politicians and their associates against breaching the ban on campaigning adding that the commission would start prosecuting those who violate the law.